Pulsed holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser ablation of fibrocartilage and articular cartilage.

A new, near-infrared, pulsed holmium laser (wavelength, 2.1 microns; pulse duration, 400 microseconds) was used to ablate bovine articular cartilage and meniscal fibrocartilage. Microscopic examination revealed zones of thermal damage extending 550 microns from ablation sites. Ablation rates were measured with a mass loss technique. Above threshold, mass removal rates were proportional to laser radiant exposure. Threshold radiant exposure for ablation was 50 J/cm2 for articular cartilage and 11 J/cm2 for meniscal fibrocartilage. Because the holmium laser can precisely and rapidly resect cartilaginous tissues with only moderate necrosis, function in a saline environment in direct contact with tissue, and be transmitted through conventional optical fibers, it has the potential to become a useful tool for the precise arthroscopic removal of intraarticular tissue.