In vivo laser soldering of incisions in juvenile pig skins using GaAs or CO 2 lasers and a temperature control system

Abstract

Two temperature controlled laser soldering systems were compared, one based on a GaAs laser and the other on a CO₂ laser. Both systems were used for bonding full thickness incisions. <b>Methods:</b> 47% bovine serum albumin (BSA) solder was used in the CO₂ laser soldering experiments. BSA with 1.8 mg/ml Indocyanine Green (ICG) was used for the GaAs soldering experiments. In both cases the solder was applied onto cuts created in juvenile pig skin and an infrared fiberoptic system was used to monitor and control different temperature and time settings. Differences in tensile strength and wound reparative parameters were compared between GaAs laser, CO₂ laser, and Dermabond glued incisions on the seventh day after the operation. <b>Results:</b> The tensile strength of CO₂ laser-soldered and Dermabond glued incisions were found to be higher than that of the GaAs laser-soldered incisions. Histological study showed better and faster wound healing characteristics of the CO₂ laser soldered incisions, as compared to the GaAs laser-soldered and glued incisions. <b>Conclusions:</b> Preliminary results of temperature controlled CO₂ laser soldered incisions suggest a better wound reparative process over the temperature controlled GaAs laser soldered incisions. Laser soldering offers many advantages over gluing techniques.