1.32 ?m Nd:YAG laser during neurosurgical procedures experience with about 70 patients operated on with the MC 2100 unit

Abstract

The authors present their clinical experience with 1.32 microns Nd-YAG Laser. After a series of experimental studies which demonstrated the adaptability of such a wavelength to central nervous surgery, they used such a Laser during current neurosurgical procedures. The MC 2100 unit combines two wavelengths 1.32 microns and 1.06 microns, and two emission modes: continuous wave (c.w.) and pulsed. This Laser has been used during 70 procedures: 54 supra-tentorial, 8 infra-tentorial, 5 intra-spinal, 3 intra-orbital, 600 microns and 400 microns fibers were preferred in most cases, either with a telescopic light handpiece or- less often--with a focussing handpiece. The quality of vaporization--close to that of CO2 Laser- and of haemostasis-close to that of 1.06 microns Nd-YAG Laser-makes this 1.32 microns wavelength very suitable for neurosurgery. The manoeuverability due to the optic fibers is most interesting. Furthermore, such a Laser should have in the near future large applications in stereotactic and/or endoscopic neurosurgery.