[Operative therapy of malignant intracranial tumors by the CO2 laser. Initial results after vaporization of the tumors].

From the Clinic of Neurosurgery of the Kantonsspital Basle a report is given over a one year-experience with a CO2-Sharplan 791 Laser (Prod.: Laser Industrie Ltd., Israel). The excellent technical qualities, as described by other authors, have been confirmed. 11 patients with malignant glioma received all the same treatment (intratumoral partly resection and "vaporisation" of the tumor-bed with Laser-ray followed by radiotherapy with 6000 rad.). It showed that the post-operative course and the definite prognosis of the disease is not decisive different from the results of an operative treatment with conventional methods. Only 2 (18,1%) patients were in a satisfactory condition fourty weeks after operation and radiotherapy. 5 patients (45,4%) died in the first 10 months after operation and radiotherapy and 4 (36,3%) had a relapse 6 months after surgical intervention.