Precaution and safety in carbon dioxide laser surgery.

The introduction of the carbon dioxide laser--(in 1972) by Strong and Jako as a surgical tool for removal of laryngeal papilloma--heralded a new period of surgical refinement and precision in otolaryngology and also led to adjustment and precautions in operating room setup and in the administration of anesthetics. This article recounts 8 years of experience in carbon dioxide laser surgery on 3500 head and neck patients. Techniques and precautions of administering anesthetics for laser surgery are presented. The management of a laser-ignited burn is also discussed.