ISSN:
1432-0711
Keywords:
Key words: Carbon dioxide laser
;
Condylomata acuminata
;
Human papillomavirus
;
SwiftLase®
;
Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract. The CO2-laser has a successful record in treatment of extensive, refractory vulvar condylomas and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. A prerequisite for optimal use of the laser is careful preoperative diagnosis and optimized surgical technique based upon the exact knowledge of the interaction process between laser radiation and tissue. Using a new CO2-laser scanning device, the Sharplan SwiftLase®, this in-vivo study analyses the effects of CO2-laser parameters [average power density (PD), beam size and exposure time] on vulvar skin to determine optimum laser settings. Our histomorphometric analyses reveal a minimal skin destruction (ablation depth 40 µm, extent of irreversible thermal damage 80 µm to 120 µm) after application of the CO2-laser energy with the SwiftLase® using a PD of 1000 W/cm2 with a beam size of 1 mm diameter. Previous CO2-laser application techniques required low PD (200 W/cm2 to 750 W/cm2) and a larger beam size (1.5 mm to 2 mm) moving over the epithelial surface as fast as possible to obtain a precise skin destruction. The SwiftLase® allows the laser beam to be moved slowly with a beam size of 1 mm and significantly higher PD (up to 5000 W/cm2). These advantageous application conditions guarantee precise, homogeneous vulvar skin treatments with minimal thermal damage to the surrounding normal skin. The SwiftLase® enables a less experienced colposcopists to perform vulvar CO2-laser surgery.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004040050131
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