The value and limitations of the CO2 laser in neurosurgery.

A report is made of 42 patients operated on by the 100 W CO2 laser from May 1979 to May 1980 and the effects of the continuous and pulsed emission of the beam are discussed. The usefulness of the Laser-microscope coupling is also reported. One estimates the average amount of blood transfused during and soon after the operation and this is compared with blood transfused in 42 patients operated by a 50 W CO2 laser and 42 patients operated by traditional techniques. The authors have been using the CO2 laser routinely since May 1977. Its use has been sometimes useful, sometimes very useful or indispensable, sometimes useless and/or dangerous.