Premium
Effect of pulsed Nd:YAG laser radiation on action potential conduction in isolated mammalian spinal nerves
Author(s) -
Orchardson Robert,
Peacock Jillian M.,
John Whitters C.
Publication year - 1997
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(1997)21:2<142::aid-lsm5>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - lasing threshold , laser , stimulation , materials science , compound muscle action potential , peripheral , chemistry , biomedical engineering , biophysics , electrophysiology , medicine , optics , biology , physics
Background and Objective Dental lasers are claimed to produce analgesia, but the mechanisms and extent of any effects are uncertain. This study investigated the effects of lasing on nerve conduction in isolated nerves. Study Design/Materials and Methods Pulsed Nd:YAG laser energy was applied to spinal nerves in vitro and effects were measured as attenuation of the compound action potential (CAP) evoked by electrical stimulation. Results Lasing for 1 minute at 0.3–3.0 W caused a dose‐dependent attenuation of all components of the CAP ( P < 0.03). With 0.3–1.0 W power, the CAP recovered to >L 95% of the control levels 7 minutes after lasing; recovery was incomplete after lasing at > 2.0 W. Conclusion Isolated nerves were remarkably tolerant of lasing. The degree of nerve conduction block increased with laser power. The data indicate that lasing could diminish sensations, including pain, mediated by peripheral nerves in soft tissues. Lasers Surg. Med. 21:142–148, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.