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Effect of the CO 2 milliwatt laser on neuroma formation in rats
Author(s) -
Kuzbari Rafic,
Liegl Christian,
Neumayer Christoph,
Moser Hermann,
Burggasser Georg,
Holle Jürgen,
Gruber Helmut,
Happak Wolfgang
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9101(1996)18:1<81::aid-lsm10>3.0.co;2-e
Subject(s) - neuroma , connective tissue , anatomy , pathology , medicine , surgery
Background and Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether the milliwatt laser can suppress neuroma formation at the end of a divided nerve. Study Design/Materials and Methods The peripheral nerves of eight rats were transected with microscissors and the cross‐sectional area of their proximal ends was irradiated using the CO 2 milliwatt laser. The power ranges used were similar to those applied to weld neural tissue. Results None of the eight irradiated nerve ends formed a neuromatous bulb and only one of them regenerated into the surrounding tissues. Histologically, these nerve ends did not show the disorganized picture of classic neuromas. On morphometric measurements, they contained less connective tissue than the control nerve ends ( P < 0.001) and their nerve fibers were larger in diameter ( P < 0.001) and better myelinated ( P < 0.001). Conclusion These findings in rats show that the CO 2 milliwatt laser has the ability to suppress neuroma formation at the end of a divided nerve. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.