Arthroscopic contact Nd:YAG laser meniscectomy: basic science, surgical technique, and clinical follow up

Stephen J. O'Brien M.D.; Stephen V. Fealy; Mary Ann Gibney R.N.; Drew V. Miller M.D.; Anne M. Kelly

doi:10.1117/12.17465

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1 June 1990 Arthroscopic contact Nd:YAG laser meniscectomy: basic science, surgical technique, and clinical follow up

Stephen J. O'Brien M.D., Stephen V. Fealy, Mary Ann Gibney R.N., Drew V. Miller M.D., Anne M. Kelly

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Proceedings Volume 1200, Laser Surgery: Advanced Characterization, Therapeutics, and Systems II; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.17465
Event: OE/LASE '90, 1990, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Recent basic science studies (5) have provided a scientific foundation for the use of the Contact Nd:YAG Laser as an arthroscopic tool for xneniscal resection and acroxnioplasty of the shoulder in a saline medium. This study prospectively evaluates the results of a three stage laboratory investigation as well as the clinical results of arthroscopic xneniscal resection. Fifteen patients with meniscal tears underwent subtotal meniscectomies utilizing a Contact Nd:YAG Laser (Surgical Laser Technologies; Malvern, Pennsylvania) . This was done in a saline medium with an average laser wattage of 25 W, (range 20 W to 30 W). Patients were evaluated postoperatively with reference to subjective and objective parameters at one week and four weeks postoperatively. Patients were evaluated with regard to wound healing, intraarticular swelling and pain. Assessment of technical parameters such as ease of resection, time of resection and instrument access were compared to conventional instruments. All fifteen patients were rated as having clinically excellent results based on pain relief, wound healing and swelling. In addition, although there was increased time with setting up the laser and calibrating it, there was not an increase in time for meniscal resection. Little, or no, secondary "trimmuning" was necessary with the laser. Increased accessibility was noted due to the small size of the laser. Arthroscopic Contact Nd:YAG Laser surgery is a safe and effective tool for menisca]. resection and coagulation in arthroscopic acromioplasties. It provides significant advantages over conventional cutting instruments with regard to accessibility and reduced need for secondary instruments.

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Stephen J. O'Brien M.D., Stephen V. Fealy, Mary Ann Gibney R.N., Drew V. Miller M.D., and Anne M. Kelly "Arthroscopic contact Nd:YAG laser meniscectomy: basic science, surgical technique, and clinical follow up", Proc. SPIE 1200, Laser Surgery: Advanced Characterization, Therapeutics, and Systems II, (1 June 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.17465

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