Ablation of skin tissue by holmium:YAG laser

Wei R. Chen; Andrew Holt; Robert E. Nordquist

doi:10.1117/12.182953

17 August 1994 Ablation of skin tissue by holmium:YAG laser

Wei R. Chen, Andrew Holt, Robert E. Nordquist

Proceedings Volume 2134, Laser-Tissue Interaction V; and Ultraviolet Radiation Hazards; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.182953
Event: OE/LASE '94, 1994, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Surface epithelial damage by Ho:YAG laser and recovery were studied using histology and electron microscopy. Rabbit skin was irradiated with fluence varying from 55 J/cm² to 680 J/cm². Laser damage was determined by histological measurement of three major injury indicators: surface lesion width, depth of photocoagulation, and depth of thermal damage. When the fluence increased, the surface lesion widened and the photocoagulation zone extended deeper into the dermis. The thermally damaged zone (60 degree(s)C < T < 100 degree(s)C) remained at a relatively unchanged depth (about 1 mm) throughout our fluence range. The muscle and nerve tissues appeared to remain intact under most of our irradiance except at 500 J/cm² and greater. Thermally injured tissues began recovery within a short period and eventually returned to normal; electron microscopic findings indicated that severe swelling occurred in the individual collagen fibrils, but they were not disrupted and usually recovered to appear normal. A layer of new epithelium started growing underneath the photocoagulated zone around day 3. After 7 days, most photocoagulated tissue was partially, in some cases completely, separated from the skin by the new epithelium. The damage and recovery parameters established should aid in the clinical use of Holmium laser in treating lesions, benign or malignant, in hollow tubular organs and on surface epithelia.

Citation Download Citation

Wei R. Chen, Andrew Holt, and Robert E. Nordquist "Ablation of skin tissue by holmium:YAG laser", Proc. SPIE 2134, Laser-Tissue Interaction V; and Ultraviolet Radiation Hazards, (17 August 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.182953

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