A review of laser surgery in the U.S.S.R.

Abstract

In the U.S.S.R., investigation into the application of laser surgery began in the mid-1960s. Wider clinical applications with the COz laser began in 1975, when we performed the first total and partial gastrectomies, colon resections, and biliary tract interventions. Unique instruments were designed for these procedures, such as clamps and stapling devises, that provide complete sterile hemostasis. This, in turn, made it possible to use a one-layer seromuscular intestinal suture, which is stronger than twoor three-layer sutures, for anastomosis formation.Morphological studies in experimental surgery and endoscopic examinations with biopsy in clinical surgery demonstrated that the laser anastomosis, unlike conventional anastomoses, healed after first intervention with a slight aseptic inflammation reaction without leukocytic infiltration. This resulted in more reliable anastomosies and in early restoration of intestinal content passage. Laser anastomoses show normal physiological function and are not affected by stenosis.Currently manufactured in the Soviet Union are two serial multipurpose C02 surgical laser units: a 30-W "Scalpel-1" and a "Romashka" unit of up to 100 W. The total number of surgical procedures performed with C02 laser technique in various fields of surgery in the U.S.S.R. involves several tens of thousands of operations. In our hospital, 436 total and partial gastrectomies and 269 operations on colon, rectum, and anorectal organs were performed. Biliodigestive anastomoses and papillosphincterotomies performed with the laser beam (69 procedures) are not frequently accompanied by stenosis, and function well. In 28 procedures resecting the liver or pancreas, the applications of laser beam and specially designed instruments make it possible to achieve good hemostatic effect and complete sealing of the secretory system ducts.In addition, the Soviet surgeons have performed more than 300 pulmonary procedures including anatomical and atypical resections, abscessectomies, and pneumo-and pleurolysis. Great experience has been gained with laser applications with approximately 10, OOO operations in dermatological surgery.The use of the C02 laser is effective in plastic surgery, where bloodless, asceptic excision of tumors and scars at the recipient site becomes possible. Graft taking is also peformed with the aid of the laser, after the sterile, physiologically indifferent fluid (playing the role of a shield) has collected in the tissue. The skin graft is prepared in the required layer bloodlessly and asceptically-"a laser photohydraulic

Regional myocadial blood flow and cardiac mechanics in dog hearts with CO2 laser-induced intramyocardial revascularization

“…Subsequent trials with the LIR technique have been conducted by at least four different groups with mixed results (10,33,34,35,39). This technique has been used recently in platients with ischemic heart disease (25,27,29,34).…”

Effect of low-intensity luminescence on reparative processes in skin wounds in the rat

“…LMNR is not subject to the restrictions imposed on the premises and work regime of personnel operating laser phototherapeutic apparatus [8]. In light of the findings confmnmg the absence of a specific influence of lasers on biological objects [7,10], the replacement of laser fight in phototherapeutic procedures [2][3][4]9] by noncoherent broad-band radiation seems expedient.…”

Advanced Diode Laser with Specialized Beam-delivery Instrument in Combined Mini Invasive Laser Hemorrhoid Treatment

“…Medical applications of lasers began in the mid-60s in the countries with laser technology, including the USSR, where the development of laser medicine progressed rapidly [1][2][3][4]. One of the earliest applied and still popular is CO2 -laser, which is called "workhorse" for its various applications and widespread introduction into clinical practice.…”

“…At the first stage lasers were used in the modified Milligan-Morgan classical hemorrhoidectomy as a cutting and coagulating tool [12]. For example, the use of "Scalpel-1" (made by "POLYUS") with a power of 25 W for hemorrhoidal node cutting allowed to obtain practically non-bleeding wound surface of linear shape, covered with coagulation scab [1,13]. At the same time, the specific problems of the hemorrhoidectomy postoperative period required reducing the invasiveness of surgery to accelerate rehabilitation [14][15][16][17].…”