Lasers in surgery and medicine
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Efficacy of different therapy regimes of low-power laser in painful osteoarthritis of the knee: a double-blind and randomized-controlled trial.
A prospective, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial was conducted in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) to evaluate the efficacy of infrared low-power Gallium-Arsenide (Ga-As) laser therapy (LPLT) and compared two different laser therapy regimes. ⋯ Our study demonstrated that applications of LPLT in different dose and duration have not affected results and both therapy regimes were a safe and effective method in treatment of knee OA.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effects of linearly polarized 0.6-1.6 microM irradiation on stellate ganglion function in normal subjects and people with complex regional pain (CRPS I).
Stellate ganglion blocks are an effective but invasive treatment of upper extremity pain. Linearly polarized red and near-infrared (IR) light is promoted as a safe alternative to this procedure, but its effects are poorly established. This study was designed to assess the physiological effects of this latter approach and to quantitate its benefits in people with upper extremity pain due to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome I (CRPS I, RSD). ⋯ Irradiation is well tolerated. There is a suggestion in this small study that treatment is beneficial and that its benefits are not dependent on changes in sympathetic tone. Further evaluation is warranted.
-
Due to the increased popularity of laryngeal laser therapy, surgeons and anesthesiologists are inevitably confronted with questions concerning the choice of the most efficient endotracheal tube (ETT) for laryngeal laser surgery, especially with regard to possible endolaryngeal tube fires, or combustions. The purpose of this study was to determine the current practice in endolaryngeal laser surgery in Germany. ⋯ The present study could demonstrate that the use of special laser tubes does not necessarily protect against ETT fire. Thus, even when using special laser tubes other safety measures should be taken. In view of the maximum safety for the patient it has to be stated, that the safety during surgery correlates definitely with the experience of the surgeon. The weakest point of ETTs is usually situated in the cuff region.
-
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Laser assisted delivery of topical anesthesia for intramuscular needle insertion in adults.
Currently there is no safe, effective, and rapid means to eliminate the pain associated with a needle insertion through the skin. It is hypothesized that ablation of the stratum corneum layer using a low energy Erbium(Er):YAG laser would allow rapid local anesthesia from a lidocaine product. ⋯ Use of the low energy Er:YAG LAD device in combination with a 5-minute application of lidocaine significantly reduced the pain associated with a needle insertion.
-
Use of laser wavelengths in the 6.1 microm (amide I) to 6.45 microm (amide II) regions and a macropulse width of 4.0 microseconds delivered by a computer-controlled delivery system have produced clean, deep cortical bone ablations with minimal collateral thermal injury and no char formation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the healing of cortical bone following 6.1 microm wavelength laser osteotomy using a 4.0 microsecond pulse, and compare that response to the response of similar osteotomies made with a standard pneumatic surgical bone saw. ⋯ Histologic evaluation of osteotomy sites made in skeletally mature rabbit tibia using the 6.1 microm wavelength, 4.0 microsecond macropulse FEL, delivered at 6 Hz at the osteotomy site, reveals a healing response which is at least as good as the healing of bone saw osteotomies, and appears to proceed at a faster rate during the first 2-4 weeks following surgery.