Ultrastructure of skeletal muscle after CO2-laser incision.

The immediate effect of CO2-laser incision to the dorsal skin and underlying muscular tissue of rats was studied by light and electron microscopical methods. In the subcutaneous layer of skeletal muscle cells an increased susceptibility was found, resulting in distinct zones of cellular changes which are attributed mainly to thermal effects of the laser beam. The importance of these findings for the surgical application of lasers is discussed.