The present state of CO₂ and Nd-YAG laser therapy in our clinic

Our experience of oromaxillary surgery on 108 patients using CO₂ laser scalpel led to the following results. 1. Minimum bleeding during surgery shortens operation time. 2. The wound healing after laser surgery was favorable and less tissue damage was observed compared with conventional electric scalpel. 3. No wound infection was observed because of potential bactericidal effect of laser. 4. Less pain reports after laser surgery. 5. The local control in patients with malignancy after surgery was successful. Our experience with YAG laser system and contact rod led to the following results. 1. Contact surgery has advantages for less risk of erroneous shots, handling with ease even in a small operative field, and precise surgery. 2. The depth of cutting can be adjusted. 3. Bleeding is extremely minimum. 4. Smoke of coagulation is small. 5. Extensive necrosis of the tissue can be elicited. Based on our experience of the use of the two different laser systems for oromaxillary surgery, they beneficial in reducing blood loss, shortening operation time, and successful local control of malignant tumors, comparable to the characteristic of laser surgery. Comparing CO₂ laser with Nd-YAG laser, the former seems useful in extensive resection requiring strong cutting power and also in vaporizing superficial mucosal lesions, while the latter seems warranted for a minor surgery using a contact road.