Soft tissue effects of the holmium-YSGG laser in the canine trachea.

A holmium-yttrium scandium gallium garnet laser is a pulsed mid-infrared crystalline laser (wavelength, 2.1 microns), which is easily transmissible through flexible quartz fibers. With use of a 300-microns fiber delivery system, this laser was applied in the canine trachea to create a standard 5-mm diameter lesion through mucosa and submucosa. Power settings of 400 mJ and 600 mJ per pulse at 2 pulses per second were used, and wound healing was studied over a 2-week period. Excellent control of depth of tissue ablation was noted, with uncomplicated wound repair. Although healing was somewhat slower compared with healing when the CO2 laser was used, less granulation and fewer inflammatory changes were noted. Further studies need to be performed to determine ideal laser dosimetry before this laser is applied clinically.