The numerous advantages of CO2 laser surgery— minimal hemorrhage, excellent visibility of the surgical site, precision and control over the amount of tissue removed and reduced post-op swelling— are invaluable in veterinary gynecology.
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Interdigital pododermatitis in dogs has many causes, one of which is follicular cysts that repeatedly rupture and cause draining hemorrhagic tracts in the interdigital spaces of dogs.
At our small animal clinic we perform multiple surgeries a day. Our routine usage of Aesculight surgical CO2 laser allows for greatly simplified soft-tissue surgeries, such as femoral head osteotomy and enucleation surgery and ovariohysterectomy (OHE) described in detail in this article.
Flexible fiber CO2 laser surgery can be easily learned by any skilled veterinary surgeon. Advances in handpiece technology and fast return on investment make CO2 laser surgery enjoyable and affordable as never before.
Any surgeon of any experience level with an interest should be able to excel in its use with a minimal investment of time and effort. It gives the surgeon confidence that the end result of her work will be a less painful, less swollen, pleasant appearing incision.
CO2 laser light’s ability to ablate and cut the waterrich soft-tissue with maximum precision and minimal collateral thermal effects makes it a true “What you see is what you get” surgical laser with a short learning curve and a great variety of uses in general surgery.
My experience with CO2 laser for surgery at our hospital is in sync with how laser surgery is practiced in North America. It is a new and pioneering concept, however, in Japan, where until now laser diodes were promoted for soft tissue surgery.
I have been using lasers (CO2 and diode) in my equine-only practice for the last six years. I have discovered many uses that have immensely expanded my surgical and therapeutic capabilities.
Cancer is one of the most common causes for mortality in companion animals, affecting one in two pets over the age of 10. Surgery is still the most effective modality for the treatment of cancer because it can often provide an immediate cure or palliation of pain, with minimal and temporary side effects.
In most dermatologic surgical procedures using CO2 lasers, no sutures are required and no post-operative care is needed. The pet does not bother the lesions because the nerve endings are sealed by the CO2 laser, and thus little to no pain is present after the surgery.
CO2 lasers have become a standard of care in veterinary surgery. Delivering the ideal wavelength (10.6 µm) for all soft tissue surgery, CO2 lasers provide increased precision and result in reduced hemorrhage, swelling, pain and tissue trauma. CO2 lasers also facilitate many laser-improved and laser-specific procedures.
A surgical laser will enhance surgical capabilities in a general practice. Selection of the delivery system is the most important consideration.
