Effects of Nd-YAG laser and cryosurgery on the oral mucosa in rabbits.

In 32 rabbits, lesions of comparable depths were created in the oral mucosa using a Nd-YAG laser (Medilas II, 1.06 microns, MBB Co., Munich) and a cryosurgery unit (Kryo-S, Erbe Co., Hannover). Histologic specimens were examined between 1 h and up to 8 weeks following operation. The laser lesion was restricted horizontally to the laser-exposed area; the full extent of the lesion could already be seen after 1 day. Cryosurgical lesions showed their maximum extent 3 days following treatment. Wound healing processes following laser application, were accelerated compared to cryosurgical procedure.