Carbon dioxide laser stapedotomy: a histopathologic study.

The effect of carbon dioxide electromagnetic radiation on biological tissues is thermal. The heat generated from vaporization dissipates into the surrounding tissues and can produce alterations of structure and function. Carbon dioxide laser fenestrations were performed in the footplates of 11 cat ears. Morphologic changes included discoloration and reactive hemorrhage in the saccular wall and disruption of the saccular and utricular walls. The clinical consequences of these findings and the role of the carbon dioxide laser in laser stapedotomies for patients with otospongiosis remain unresolved.