[Use of thermo-acoustic contact laser scalpel in surgery of the liver (an experimental study)].

Various parameters (from 15 to 40 W) of the thermo-acoustic contact YAG: Nd-laser scalpel were tested in experiments on 70 rabbits to choose the optimal operating regimens in resection of the liver. A power of 25-30 W proved to be effective. The reliability of hemo- and cholestasis was studied by means of hydro-pressure, reparation processes were studied by histological, electron microscopic, and radioautographic examination in periods of 3 hours to 30 days. The results of the study bear evidence that the use of the thermo-acoustic contact solid-body laser scalpel makes it possible to increase the rate of cutting with minimal injury to the peripheral areas of the hepatic tissue, significantly increases the reliability of hemostasis, produces fine homogeneous coagulation for the whole length, and facilitates a favourable course of the reparative processes. Besides, the contact method of laser division is controllable with regard to the depth of the beam effect and increases the surgeon's tactile sense.