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Potential use of diode laser soldering in middle ear reconstruction
Author(s) -
Ditkoff Michael,
Blevins Nikolas H.,
Perrault Donald,
Shapshay Stanley M.
Publication year - 2002
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/lsm.10091
Subject(s) - soldering , stapes , materials science , middle ear , biomedical engineering , cadaver , laser , diode , optoelectronics , anatomy , composite material , optics , medicine , physics
Background and Objectives To assess the potential use of diode laser soldering to improve mechanical stability of middle ear reconstruction. The diode laser with a biological solder may offer benefits over traditional methods. We evaluated the strength of soldered bonds and a means to apply such a technique in the human middle ear. Study Design/Materials and Methods The strength of soldered junctions using fascia, cartilage, bone, and hydroxyappatite was evaluated in vitro. A diode laser (810‐nm wavelength) and 50% albumin with 0.1% indocyanine green dye was used. Soldered bonds were compared to those obtained with adhesive alone. A fiberoptic delivery system was evaluated. Ten hydroxyappatite prostheses were soldered to the stapes in human cadaver temporal bones, and the force required to disrupt the bonds were measured. Results Statistically significant greater strength was obtained with soldering. Ossicular prostheses can be effectively secured to the stapes in a cadaver model. Conclusions Soldering techniques show promise in middle ear reconstruction. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:242–246, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.