Photocoagulation with a copper vapour laser in rabbit liver: A comparative study between the 510 nm and the 578 nm wavelengths

Abstract

The coagulation effect, penetration depth and healing process of the 510.6 nm (green) and 578.2 nm (yellow) wavelengths of copper vapour laser (CVL) were compared in vivo in rabbit liver (n=15). A pulsed CVL, the Cu 15 from Oxford Laser—pulse repetition 10 kHz, peak-power 70 kW, pulse width 25 ns, and average maximal power 16W—was used connected to a dichroic system. The beam was transmitted through a 1000 μm quartz fibre and focused with a handpiece providing a 2 mm diameter spot size. By means of this delivery system 270 focused lesions are achieved at a power output of 2.65 W (power density 80 W cm−2) with irradiation times of 3, 5 and 10 s. The operative and microscopic verifications were achieved at 0 hour, and on days 3, 10, 20 and 30. Immediately after laser application, the lesions were triangular, well demarcated, and characterized by a central vaporization surrounded by four peripheral zones: carbonization; coagulation; oedema; and transition. The penetration depth was noticeably bigger in the yellow wavelength than with green wavelength, evidenced on day 10 by superior size of yellow wavelength photocoagulations and coagulation necrosis. Fibrosis appeared by day 3 and was gaining ground quickly and intensively after yellow wavelength while the fibrotic reaction was delayed on day 10 after green wavelength. The more penetrating effect of yellow wavelength advocates for its use in liver tumour destruction and photoradiation therapy while the green wavelength, inducing less aggressive effect on the surrounding tissue, seems more suitable for liver resection.