HEALING OF INCISIONS IN THE TONGUE - A COMPARISON OF RESULTS WITH MILLIWATT CARBON-DIOXIDE LASER-TISSUE WELDING VERSUS SUTURE REPAIR

The healing of carbon dioxide laser weld closures produced by two comm ercial instruments of differing design were compared. Healing after la ser welding was also compared to healing following conventional suture closure. Healing was evaluated histologically and by measurement of t ensile strength over time. No histologic differences were found betwee n closures produced by different lasers; however, in all cases suture closure resulted in slower healing times consistent with a foreign bod y reaction prolonging the healing process. Tensile strength measuremen ts were performed at intervals over the first 21 days after the operat ion. Laser repair was found to be equivalent to or stronger than sutur e repair at every interval measured. The clinical use of the carbon di oxide laser for tissue welding of oral injuries should be investigated further, since it appears to be a good alternative to suture repair.