Safety of high-power short pulse single spot diode laser stapedotomy: an experimental animal study

Abstract

Background We present a new method of diode laser stapedoplasty – high-power short-pulse mode with preliminary carbonization of the waveguide and a single spot of laser ablation. Aims/objective The aim of our research is the safety evaluation of presented mode 0.98 µm diode laser cochleostomy in guinea pigs. Material and methods Guinea pigs (n = 10) received 0.98 µm diode laser cochleostomy on one ear under general anesthesia. The control group was based on untreated ears (n = 10). The assessment of auditory function was performed using the distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) before and 7 d after surgery. To assess the degree of damage from the laser cochleas were extracted for histological examination. Results To evaluate the negative impact of laser energy on OHCs and auditory function, we analyzed DPOAE amplitudes for 6400 and 8000 Hz since high frequency. The paired Student’s t-test showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The histological examination yielded no statistically significant difference in the number of intact OHCs in the two groups. Conclusion and significance Our study confirms that the proposed method of high-power short pulse diode laser stapedotomy is safe for the inner ear. Further prospective and randomized clinical trials are required to evaluate the possible benefits of this method.