The carbon-dioxide laser. A new surgical tool.

The CO2 laser can be used as a tissue vaporizing tool and as a 'light knife'. After two years of experimental work, the authors summarize the present status of the CO2 laser and consider its possible clinical applications in surgery. The extent of the thermal damage after liver resection in dogs suggest that the CO2 laser alone is not suitable for major resections of the human liver. For tumor destruction in the aerodigestive tract, the CO2 laser has advantages over electrosurgery. It may also prove to be a substitute for electrocautery in the treatment of rectal tumors and polyps. The use of this laser should also be considered in performing biopsies on bone tumors and the excision of highly vascular soft tissues.