1. Current laser applications in reconstructive microsurgery: A review of the literature
- Author
-
Peter M. Vogt, Michel Schoofs, Maryline Delattre, Franck Marie Leclère, and Serge Mordon
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Microsurgery ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Microvascular surgery ,Dermatology ,Free flap ,030230 surgery ,law.invention ,030207 dermatology & venereal diseases ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,law ,Reconstructive microsurgery ,medicine ,Operating time ,Humans ,Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ,business.industry ,Hand surgery ,Plastic Surgery Procedures ,Laser ,Surgery ,Laser Therapy ,Free flap surgery ,business - Abstract
Microvascular surgery has become an important method for reconstructing surgical defects following trauma, tumor resection, or burns. Laser-assisted microanastomoses (LAMA) were introduced by Jain in 1979 in order to help the microsurgeon reduce both operating time and complications. This article reviews the literature on clinical applications of LAMA.A Medline literature search was performed and cross-referenced. Articles between 1979 and 2014 were included. Keywords used were laser, laser microanastomoses, laser microanastomosis, LAMA, and microsurgery.Only seven clinical studies using three different wavelengths were found in the literature: 1,064 nm (Nd: YAG), 10,600 nm (CO2), 514 nm (Argon), and 1,950 nm (Diode). Clinical outcomes, type of procedures, laser wavelength and parameters, and possible wider applications in the operating room are discussed in each case.The success rate for reconstructive free flap surgery and hand surgery achieved with LAMA appears promising. In particular, use of the 1950-nm diode laser for microsurgery is likely to increase in the near future.
- Published
- 2016