Histopathological and Postoperative Behavioral Comparison of Rodent Oral Tongue Resection

Abstract

Objective To compare operative time and hemostasis of fiber-enabled CO2 laser (FECL) energy to that of the electrocautery (EC) technique for oral tongue resection, to compare return to oral intake and preoperative weight after FECL and EC resection, and to compare histologic changes in adjacent tissue after FECL and EC resection. Study Design Prospective animal study. Setting Research laboratory. Subjects and Methods The CO2 laser fiber and the Bovie cautery were each used to resect the anterior tongue in 15 adult rats. Fixative perfusion and killing were performed on postoperative day 0 (n = 10), 3 (n = 10), or 7 (n = 10). Body weight, food intake, and water intake were recorded daily for 3- and 7-day survival rats. After preparation for histologic analysis, the tongue tissue was graded with a mucosal wound-healing scale (MWHS). Results A higher incidence of intraoperative bleeding and shorter operative times were noted in the EC group. No statistically significant difference in postoperative food or water intake between the EC and FECL groups was noted. The FECL group returned to baseline weight by postoperative day 6. MWHS scores were lower in the EC group by postoperative day 3 and lower in the FECL group by postoperative day 7. Conclusions Both EC and FECL are effective for resection of the tongue in rats. EC has the advantage of shorter operative time and lower MWHS scores by postoperative day 3; FECL has the advantages of less intraoperative bleeding, faster return to baseline body weight, and lower MWHS score by postoperative day 7.

Surgical and Laser Treatment of Hemangiomas of the Lips

“…Consequently, if a significant “feeder” vessel was encountered, surgical exposure would allow for immediate clamping or suturing of the vessel. The smaller lesion was ablated by CO 2 laser, which has been shown to provide good hemostasis in tissues in which the primary blood supply is via small‐diameter vessels 11‐13 . Another benefit of lesion ablation by CO 2 laser is a decrease in discomfort experienced by the patient 13 …”

Fire ignition during laser surgery in pet rodents

“…In a recent study 15 rats underwent resection of a 3-mm transverse area of the anterior tongue by use of a carbon dioxide laser [29]. The rats in the study were not exposed to inhalant anesthesia or to oxygen.…”