The effects of the argon laser on temperature within the cochlea.

In guinea pigs the endocochlear temperature alterations were recorded during and after argon laser stapedotomy with a temperature-variable resistance. Besides the maximum temperature increase achieved, the latency of temperature propagation and the time course of the cooling of perilymph were recorded. Two different kinds of temperature change could be distinguished: convectional and radiation. During normal exposure times the temperature increase in moderate. In certain instances, however, mainly when the laser beam is aimed directly at the unprotected perilymph, temperatures of 100 degrees C and more could be recorded. If the time interval between single laser impacts is short, a summation of the temperature increase occurs.