PHOTOABLATIO VIA EXCIMER-LASER BEAM - A SUITABLE CONCEPT FOR MICRONEUROSURGERY

The suitability of Excimer laser beam for microneurosurgery was invest igated in an animal experimental study. Cranial bones, cortex and the nervus ischiadicus of the rat were irradiated with 193 nm argon fluori de, 248 nm krypton fluoride, 308 nm xenon chloride and 351 nm xenon fl uoride. After survival times of up to 30 days microscopic and electron optic findings of laser lesions at the tissues mentioned above, were studied. By means of the Excimer laser beam high precision tissue effe cts without or with only low thermal damage to the surrounding tissue were produced with any desired depth of penetration or extension. In a nalogy with the experiences gathered from animal experiments, a possib le use is discussed for the removal of bone tissue around cranial nerv es or vascular structures, of epileptogenic foci, or for cutting off p athways in pain surgery (e.g. the zone of entry of the dorsal root of spinal nerves).