Wound healing in the nose and paranasal sinuses after irradiation with the argon laser. An experimental study in animals.

The wound healing of the mucous membrane of the nose was investigated in rabbits after irradiation with the argon laser. Immediately after application of the laser, a typical lesion showed a zonal appearance. Wound healing began after a delay of 6 days with the formation of granulation tissue. Re-epithelialization began from the margins of the wound and was characterized initially by metaplastic epithelium or squamous epithelium that was subsequently replaced by respiratory epithelium. In the subepithelial tissue plane, particularly following irradiation of the concha, a wider layer of connective tissue developed. The hyaline cartilage of the septum became necrotic over a large area which extended beyond the irradiated area, while the bone of the concha and the wall of the maxillary sinus was destroyed only at the site of the direct laser treatment.