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Investigating the CO 2 laser for plantar digital neurectomy in horses
Author(s) -
Montgomery Tom C.,
McNaughton Scott D.
Publication year - 1985
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.1900050511
Subject(s) - neurectomy , carbon dioxide laser , neuroma , medicine , surgery , laser , anatomy , laser surgery , pathology , physics , alternative medicine , optics
A histological study of plantar digital nerve sections cut with a carbon dioxide laser in horses was conducted. A series of nerve cuts were made with variable power densities to determine the appropriate theoretical level which would yield the most desired tissue effects. Power densities in the lower ranges used appeared to provide tissue effects judged most likely to prevent neuroma formation through increased thermal sealing of the proximal stump at the axon level. Clinical observation and follow‐up of horses subjected to laser neurectomy tend to support the reported concept that the laser is superior to conventional instruments for prevention of painful neuroma in peripheral nerves.