Effect of smoke evacuation on limiting thermal damage when using the carbon dioxide laser for cutaneous surgery

Ruth Anne Waters; J. Meirion Thomas; Marc Clement; S. Davies

doi:10.1117/12.17436

1 June 1990 Effect of smoke evacuation on limiting thermal damage when using the carbon dioxide laser for cutaneous surgery

Ruth Anne Waters, J. Meirion Thomas, Marc Clement, S. Davies

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 1200, Laser Surgery: Advanced Characterization, Therapeutics, and Systems II; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.17436
Event: OE/LASE '90, 1990, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

We have conducted a study of the use of the carbon dioxide (C02) laser for ablation of multiple cutaneous recurrences of melanoma. Lesions of primary malignant melanoma are usually widely excised to try and prevent local recurrence. Despite this, recurrent cutaneous lesions do occur. These lesions may be small and numerous making local excision impractical. Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion has shown some success in controlling the local disease but this procedure has a significant morbidty, some patients show only a limited response and post-perfusion recurrences are common.1 Also, in some patients, thelesions will not be confined to a limb. No other method of local control has provided an ideal solution and amputation has sometimes been a last resort. We have therefore selected patients for laser ablation if they have had lesions too numerous for local excision, or have had recurrences following perfusion or were otherwise suitable for perfusion. The lesions were vaporized under local or general anaesthesia according to their size and number. The wounds were then left to heal by secondary intention. Simple dry dressings were applied and all patients were discharged home within 24 hours. In total we have treated over 1,500 lesions in 30 patients. The results of the initial study have been very encouraging. The procedure is quick and simple with absent or minimal post-operative pain. Although the incidence of recurrent tumour at a previously lasered site is less than 1%, new tumours may develop at other sites. These are amenable to further laser treatment.

Citation Download Citation

Ruth Anne Waters, J. Meirion Thomas, Marc Clement, and S. Davies "Effect of smoke evacuation on limiting thermal damage when using the carbon dioxide laser for cutaneous surgery", Proc. SPIE 1200, Laser Surgery: Advanced Characterization, Therapeutics, and Systems II, (1 June 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.17436

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