Repair of small blood vessels with the neodymium-YAG laser: a preliminary report.

A technique for repair of incisions in small blood vessels (diameter, 0.3 to 1.0 mm) in the rat is described using a Neodymium-YAG laser. It is possible to seal the incision without the use of sutures and to preserve the lumen of the vessel. The advantages of this technique over electrocoagulation and microsuture techniques are pointed out. Although the work is in preliminary stages, the technique is considered to be relatively safe, and the potential use of the application in human surgery is indicated. The possible complications of this technique are pointed out.