CO2 laser microsurgery: five years experience with long-term results.

Techniques and results of CO2 laser microsurgery are reported from a series of 123 patients operated on between 1979 and 1983. Salpingostomy was carried out in 76 patients, reversal of sterilization in 16 patients, reanastomosis for pathologic disease in 12 patients, and combined procedures in 19 patients. Results compare favorably with conventional microsurgery. CO2 laser surgery appears to be a very effective technique and is very easy to achieve in microsurgery. Correct use of CO2 laser is required in order to obtain a good post-operative success rate. The surgeon must be competent in microsurgery and in laser technology.