Authors
Johan FaganWolfgang Steiner
Topics
Head and Neck Cancer StudiesNasal Surgery and Airway StudiesTracheal and airway disordersCO2 laser is used to resect or vaporise benign and malignant lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract. This chapter focuses on transoral CO2 laser technique using a micromanipulator attached to an operating microscope. The advantages of using CO2 laser with an operating microscope are microsurgical precision, excellent intraoperative detail, and a dry surgical field; the functional outcomes in terms of swallowing and speech exceed that of traditional external surgical approaches.Surgeons must familiarise themselves with the laser machine, its settings and delivery systems, and its tissue effects prior to attempting to use it clinically. CO 2 laser machine (Figure 1 ) Surgical lasers convert radiation energy into heat at the point of contact of the focused radiation with the tissue. The laser beam is generated in a gas-containing discharge tube. The light beam is collimated (coherent), is of a single wavelength (monochromatic), and can be reflected and hence manipulated by mirrors, and focused by passing it through lenses. Because CO2 laser falls outside the visible light spectrum and is therefore invisible, the laser machine generates a red diode laser aiming beam that is focused at the same working distance as the microscope to indicate to the surgeon where the beam is directed. The laser beam is directed along a spring-loaded articulated arm which connects to a beam applicator. The articulated arm has mirrors at each articulation; therefore, one has to handle the articulated arm with great care so as not to disturb the alignment of the mirrors. The laser is fired when the foot pedal is depressed.
About
PublishedMar 3, 2025
TypeBook
Citations0