The carbon dioxide laser: an alternative surgery technique for the treatment of common cutaneous tumors in dogs

Joanna Paczuska,Rafał Ciaputa,Zdzisław Kiełbowicz,Agnieszka Antończyk,Marcin Nowak,Jakub Nicpoń

doi:10.1186/1751-0147-56-1

Joanna Paczuska, Rafał Ciaputa + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-56-1

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundTumors of the skin and subcutaneous tissue are the largest group of canine neoplasms. Total excision is still the most effective method for treatment of these skin tumors. For its universal properties the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser appears to be an excellent surgical instrument in veterinary surgery. Laser techniques are alternatives to traditional methods for the surgical management of tumors. The aim of this study was to compare various types of laser techniques in skin oncologic surgery: excision, ablation and mixed technique and to suggest which technique of CO2 laser procedure is the most useful in particular case of tumors in dogs.FindingsThe study was performed on 38 privately-owned dogs with total number of 40 skin tumors of different type removed by various CO2 laser operation techniques from 2010–2013. The treatment effect was based on the surgical wound evaluation, the relative time of healing and possible local recurrence of the tumor after 3 months post surgery. Local recurrence was observed in two cases. The study showed that in 30 cases time needed for complete resection of lesions was less than 10 minutes. Time of healing was longer than 12 days in 6 cases (42.8%) with tumor excision and in 14 cases (87.5%) where excision with ablation technique was performed.ConclusionsThe advantages of the CO2 laser surgery were better hemostasis, precision of working, non-contact dissection, less instruments at the site of operation and minimum traumatization of the surrounding tissues.

Highlights

Tumors of the skin and subcutaneous tissue are the largest group of canine neoplasms
Laser light wavelength and frequency determine the way the laser light interacts with its target tissue
Wavelengths of laser light are highly absorbed by water followed by hemoglobin, melanin, and some proteins resulting in photothermal laser-tissue interaction [1]

Summary

Introduction

Tumors of the skin and subcutaneous tissue are the largest group of canine neoplasms. Grunwaldzki 51, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland Full list of author information is available at the end of the article excision with laser can reduce intraroperative wound contamination by tumor cells [5]. The aim of this study was to compare different laser techniques in oncologic surgery of skin lesions: excision, ablation and mixed technique and to reveal the most useful CO2 laser technique for removal of skin tumors in dogs, depending on size, localization and malignancy. The type of laser surgery technique used depended on localization, tumor size and suspected malignancy (Table 2).

Objectives

Results

Conclusion