[1st experience with laser beams in the treatment of neurosurgical diseases].

The Sharplan 791 type CO2-laser, specially adapted to neurosurgical requirements, was used in the surgery of 9 gliomas, 10 meningeomas, 6 patients presenting metastasis, 1 case of vascular malformation, intracranial interventions, 1 case of hippocampectomy, 2 cases of neurinomas, 2 intramedullar tumours of the spinal cord, 1 case of thoracic commissurotomy, 1 case of thoracic prolaps of intravertebral disc, 1 case of vertebral metastasis and in 3 cases of stump neurinoma. Detrimental effects on the patients as well as any hazards to the surgical staff have not been observed. The cutting effect was mainly used for the incision of soft part, in some cases also for the formation of bony cover. Moreover the CO2-laser beam was used for coagulation and vaporisation. Particular advantages are offered by the equipment when working under the surgical microscope. Topografic precision and energetic dosing make the equipment a valuable supplement of the surgical instruments, available until now.