Liver, spleen, and pancreas were subjected to laser photoradiation of 50- to 100-Watt power levels. Samples were evaluated by light microscopy at 0 hours and 7, 14, and 21 days. Four zones of cellular damage were visible in liver and pancreas: coagulum, cavitation, acidophilia, and transition. Only the first three zones were clearly visible in the spleen. Mean lateral tissue penetration was 3.1 mm in liver, 3.3 mm in spleen, and 1.0 mm in pancreas. No significant increase in lateral penetration occurred with increasing power. Normal healing was observed in liver and spleen. Pancreatitis was found in all samples at 7 days postoperatively. At power levels of 80 W or less, recovery was observed. Above 80 W, pancreatic pseudocysts and necrosis led to death of the animals.

No abstract

Leakage after intestinal resection is a serious complication with a high mortality rate. A recent study claims that cutting the intestine with the CO2 laser improves the healing of intestinal anastomoses (Ferulano et al: Eur Surg Res 16:127-130, 1984). The present study was undertaken to analyze the effects of electrocautery, CO2 laser, and contact Nd:YAG laser on the healing of intestinal incisions. Fifteen piglets were used and the cutting and reanastomosing were performed by using all cutting methods in each animal in randomized order. Resection sites were 50 cm, 100 cm, and 150 cm distal to the ligament of Treitz. On the seventh day the bursting pressures were measured for each anastomosis. They were 172 +/- 17 mmHg for normal bowel segment and 133 +/- 12, 135 +/- 40, and 139 +/- 17 mmHg for electrocautery, CO2 laser, and Nd:YAG laser, respectively. There were no mortality, no anastomotic leaks, and no statistically significant differences in the bursting pressures, in histology, or in the healing of anastomotic sites, indicating that electrocautery, CO2 laser, and contact Nd:YAG laser scalpel can safely be used in the surgery of small intestine.