Histopathological and electrophysiological study of CO(2), Er:YAG, and CO (2) + Er:YAG laser effect on peripheral nerve.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological, histopathological, and electrophysiological changes of peripheral nerve after CO(2) (carbon dioxide), Er:YAG (erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet), and CO(2) + Er:YAG laser irradiation. There have been no comparative reports on CO(2), Er:YAG, and CO(2) + Er:YAG laser effects on peripheral nerve.

Methods: Thirty Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to three groups. Group I received CO(2), group II Er:YAG, and group III CO(2) + Er:YAG laser irradiation. Contralateral untreated sciatic nerves from the same animals were used as controls. The effect of laser on the peripheral nerve was assessed morphologically, histopathologically, and electrophysiologically after 6 weeks of laser irradiation.

Results: No significant difference was observed between the treated and the untreated nerves.

Conclusion: The overall findings indicated that CO(2), Er:YAG, and CO(2) + Er:YAG lasers may be used safely in nerve tissue surgery.