Laser pyrolysis products - genotoxic, clastogenic and mutagenic effects ofthe particulate aerosol fractions

Laser therapy has gained wide acceptance and application in many medical di sciplines. Nevertheless, during surgical procedures, the thermal destructio n of tissue creates a smoke plume. Recent research data indicate that pyrol ysates liberated during vaporisation of tissue induce DNA damage. However, assessing potential health hazards during medical laser treatment requires comprehensive insight into the cytotoxic, genotoxic, clastogenic and mutage nic capacity of laser pyrolysis products (LPP). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic, genotoxic, clastogenic and mutagenic p otential of substances resulting from laser irradiation. Four different typ es of porcine tissues were irradiated with a surgical CO2 laser, the aeroso ls were sampled under defined conditions and subjected to the SCE test, mic ronucleus test and the HPRT test. The results showed that the pyrolysis pro ducts are strong inducers of cytotoxic effects. The pyrolysis products indu ced positive effects in the SCE test, micronucleus test and the HPRT test. The ability and extent to induce genotoxic and mutagenic effects turned out to be dependent on the type of tissue that had been irradiated. In general , the effects were most pronounced with liver pyrolysate. In all test syste ms, a clear dose relationship could be established In conclusion, we were a ble to prove that the particulate fraction of laser pyrolysis aerosols orig inating from biological tissues undoubtedly have to be classified as cytoto xic, genotoxic, clastogenic and mutagenic. Therefore, they could be potenti al health hazards for humans. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.