CHROMOPHORE ENHANCED LASER-WELDING OF CANINE URETERS IN-VITRO USING AHUMAN PROTEIN SOLDER - A PRELIMINARY STEP FOR LAPAROSCOPIC TISSUE WELDING

Laser welding of the genitourinary tract has the potential advantage o f forming an immediate watertight seal. It may obviate the need for su tures, eliminate the inherent lithogenic reaction to suture, and poten tially improve healing. In the current study we employed a KTP-532 las er in vitro to weld canine ureters. Ureters were transected over a ste nt and immediately repaired using the KTP-532 laser (power density 7.1 4 W/cm.2, spot size = 0.5 cm.) alone or in combination with different tissue solders. Solders consisted of 40% human albumin alone or with t he addition of iron oxide or fluorescein as light absorbing dyes (chro mophores). Following the repairs, intraluminal bursting strength and t he total energy required to complete the repairs were measured. The KT P laser alone was not able to achieve a satisfactory repair. Successfu l ureteral repairs were achieved in all solder groups while maintainin g ureteral continuity at supraphysiologic pressures.