Evaluation of tissue healing and adhesion formation after an intraabdominal amniotic membrane graft in the rat.

The amniotic membrane was used as a graft intraabdominally in the rat to study the healing process and the graft's efficacy in preventing postoperative adhesions. We observed the gradual invasion of the graft with fibroblasts and plasma cells and increased vascularity. By the tenth postoperative day the graft had taken completely.

New techniques for laser ablation of the endometrium in high-risk patients.

Fourteen women underwent endometrial ablation by use of the Nd:YAG laser. All patients had significant risk factors that precluded safe hysterectomy for intractable bleeding. All patients had demonstrated anemia, menorrhagia, and metrorrhagia uncontrolled by hormonal therapy or curettage.

Protection of the rat lung from the harmful effects of laser smoke.

Fourteen Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to CO2 laser exhaust that had first passed through smoke-evacuator filters. Six rats breathed laser vapors that were filtered through commercially available, standard production model smoke-evacuator systems. These animals demonstrated pulmonary lesions identical to but qualitatively less severe than those observed in animals breathing unfiltered vapor.

Carbon dioxide laser laparoscopy performed with a flexible fiber in humans.

A flexible carbon dioxide laser fiber delivery system was used in conjunction with the laparoscope to treat 12 women. The 77 by 2 mm hollow fiber could subtend an arc of 90 degrees without significant loss of power or unfavorably affecting the delivery mode. As many as 20 W of power was transmitted through the fiber; however, carbon dioxide gas flow rates as high as 2000 cc/min reduced power by approximately 25%.

Carbon dioxide laser treatment of cervical stenosis.

Fifteen women diagnosed with cervical stenosis were treated by vaporization of scar tissue using the carbon dioxide laser. Ninety-three percent of the cases demonstrated binding constriction of the cervical os to a 2-mm diameter or less and 40% of the cases had either a pinpoint opening or total endocervical obliteration. The technique for laser treatment and the success of the method depend on precise variations of mode, power, beam diameter, and "buttoning" the endocervical mucosal remnant.