THE BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF CARBON-DIOXIDE LASER-SURGERY ON RABBIT ARTICULAR-CARTILAGE

A pulsed carbon dioxide laser made predetermined superficial and deep (subchondral) lesions through arthrotomies on the femoral condyles of adult New Zealand rabbits. Twenty rabbits, including controls, were di vided into acute, 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month sacrifice groups. Early sac rifice groups showed some fibrous ingrowth from the deep lesions, but not the superficial lesions, and this was not seen in the 6- or 12-mon th groups. Cells below and adjacent to the laser lesions appeared viab le when compared with controls. In each group studied, no histologic e vidence of healing or fibrous covering in the superficial or deep lase r lesions was found. No adverse clinical effects (synovitis, infection ) were found in the laser groups, and the laser permitted excellent de pth control during vaporization. However, the authors caution against irradiating articular cartilage.