Publication
Title
Effect of the CO2 milliwatt laser on tensile strength of microsutures
Author
Abstract
Background and Objective: Laser-assisted tissue repair is often accompanied by a high dehiscence rate, which may be due to alterations in suture material after laser exposure. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of CO2 laser irradiation on the tensile strength of microsurgical suture material. Study Design/Materials and Methods: 10-0 nylon and 25 mu m stainless steel threads were exposed to 12 combinations of power densities (62, 124, and 186 W/cm(2)) and pulse durations (0.5, 1, 2, 3 s) and tested on a tensometer for their tensile strength. Results: At power densities of 186 W/cm(2), the 10-0 nylon thread disrupted during laser irradiation, regardless of pulse duration. This was also the case at power densities of 124 W/cm(2) for 2 s and 3 s pulse duration. At 124 W/cm(2) for 0.5 and 1 s, the tensile strength decreased with 70% relative to the control, At 62 W/cm(2), the tensile strength gradually decreased from 100% (0.5 s pulse duration) to 50% (3 s pulse duration) relative to control. Stainless steel thread resisted all laser irradiations. Conclusions: The 10-0 nylon thread is significantly compromised by irradiation with the CO2 milliwatt laser and therefore meticulous care should be taken not to irradiate the sutures during laser tissue welding. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Lasers in surgery and medicine. - New York
Publication
New York : 1997
ISSN
0196-8092
DOI
10.1002/(SICI)1096-9101(1997)20:1<64::AID-LSM10>3.0.CO;2-9
Volume/pages
20 :1 (1997) , p. 64-68
ISI
A1997WG36600010
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 15.10.2019
Last edited 09.12.2024
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