Connective tissue regeneration after laser-CO2 therapy.

The ultrastructural pattern of fibroblasts involved in the healing process of laser-treated tissues has been investigated. This study has been performed on the uterine cervix, the epithelial abnormalities of which are frequently treated by laser. Observations carried out immediately and two and seven days after treatment, have demonstrated that: fibroblasts show an active and almost uniform pattern; myofibroblasts are not present; and macrophages are limited in number. This healing process is interpreted as a proliferative pattern of the connective tissue which differs from that of some benign tumors and of healing wounds.