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Use of the Er:YAG laser for improved plating in maxillofacial surgery: Comparison of bone healing in laser and drill osteotomies
Author(s) -
Lewandrowski KaiUwe,
Lorente Carol,
Schomacker Kevin T.,
Fiotte Thomas J.,
Wilkes Joseph W.,
Deutsch Thomas F.
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)19:1<40::aid-lsm6>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - bone healing , osteotomy , drill , laser , fixation (population genetics) , materials science , er:yag laser , dentistry , biomedical engineering , medicine , surgery , optics , physics , population , environmental health , metallurgy
Background and Objective Surgical reconstruction of bony defects in the maxillofacial region involves fixation of bony fragments with mini and micro plates. Bone stabilization during hole drilling is often challenging due to the need to apply pressure when using a conventional mechanical Hall drill. In addition, fragmentation of the fragile bones may occur and complicate the reconstruction. The pulsed Er:YAG laser offers an attractive alternative drilling modality because it does not require physical contact with the bone in order to drill holes, cuts bone with minimal thermal damage, and allows precise control of bone cutting. The objective of this study was to investigate the pulsed Er:YAG laser as an alternative to the mechanical bur by comparing bone healing using both modalities. Study Design/Materials and Methods Bone healing in an inferior border defect of the rat mandible was examined using either an Er:YAG laser or a mechanical but for drilling. The healing of osteotomies in facial bones and of screw holes for plate stabilization of free bone fragments was studied. Results All defects healed by 4 weeks postoperatively. Histologic evaluation demonstrated no difference in the amount of newly formed woven bone at the osteotomy site or screw holes made by either the laser or the drill. The extent of thermal damage at the osteotomy sites was comparable in laser and mechanically cut bone fragments. Conclusions On the basis of this study we suggest that the Er:YAG laser can be used clinically in thin, fragile bones in the maxillofacial region. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.