[The use of the carbon dioxide laser in the surgical treatment of breast cancer].

The paper discusses peculiarities of breast cancer surgery using high-energy CO2 laser. Advantages of laser scalpel are discussed. CO2 laser was employed in 120 cases of breast surgery including 70 operations for cancer (radical mastectomy and radical resection--35 cases each). Operative blood loss was reduced by half (from 350 to 140 ml). The duration of surgery and wound healing did not increase. Postoperative pain was less severe. The study is in progress.