The Nd:YAG Laser — Applications in Surgery

Author(s):  
R. A. Kirschner
2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 1072-1077 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horia Stanca ◽  
Zarko Petrovic ◽  
Mihnea Munteanu

Introduction. Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) result in partial or complete retinal ischemia and sudden loss of vision; at this moment, there is no effective therapy for CRAO and BRAO. Transluminal Nd:YAG laser embolysis (TYE) represents a therapeutic approach used for retinal vascular occlusive diseases. The main indication is branch retinal artery occlusion with visible embolus; for central retinal artery occlusion this tehnique is hardly applicable. The principle of this method consists of intravascular embolus breakage using the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, focused on the embolus surface. Case report. We presented 5 cases with BRAO, 3 with infero-temporal and 2 with supero-temporal BRAO, all of them treated with TYE, with variable results. All the patients had a visible embolus within the BRA, the laser applications being delivered directly to the embolus. Conclusion. Despite our short-term experience regarding this therapeutical approach, we can resume that the moment of emboli distruction, as close as possible to the onset of the occlusion, is decisive for regaining vision and that applying the procedure correctly is superior to observation in most cases. Worldwide experience with TYE is still limited, but the technique seems feasible also when treating CRAO caused by visible emboli on the optic disc surface. This most certainly calls for random trials for identifying precisely the role of TYE in treatment of retinal occlusion pathology, though the relatively small number of properly diagnosed cases affects this objective. In all cases, the risks of TYE must be weighed against the possibility of severe and permanent loss of vision secondary to retinal artery occlusions.


2003 ◽  
pp. 199-203
Author(s):  
B. Fuchs ◽  
H.-P. Berlien ◽  
C.M. Philipp ◽  
G. Müller

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Jelínková ◽  
Jan Šulc ◽  
Michal Němec ◽  
Petr Koranda ◽  
Jiří Pašta ◽  
...  

VASA ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krnic ◽  
Sucic

Background: The aim of this study is to report our results in main stem vein closure using the bipolar radiofrequency induced thermotherapy (RFITT) system and the 1064nm Nd:Yag laser. Patients and methods: 44 incompetent main stem veins (37 great saphenous veins, one lesser saphenous vein, and 6 anterior accessory saphenous veins) in 29 patients were treated using RFITT. 53 incompetent main stem veins (45 great saphenous veins, 4 lesser saphenous veins, and 4 anterior accessory saphenous veins) in 43 patients were treated endovenously with 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser. All patients underwent postoperative duplex scanning within a month after procedure, as well as a short interview regarding postoperative discomfort. Results: In main stem veins treated with RFITT, the success rate within the first month was 86,4 % (38 out of 44 veins). Complete failure rate was 13,6 % (6 out of 44 veins). In 53 main stem veins treated by 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser, the success rate was 100 %, consisting of 98,1 % complete success (52/53 veins), and 1,9 % partial success (1/53 veins). None of the patients treated with RFITT experienced postoperative adverse effects, whereas 13/43 (30,2 %) patients treated with laser had to use oral analgesics after the treatment, and 21/43 (48,8 %) patients reported transient skin changes, such as bruising or skin redness. Conclusions: RFITT system was fairly efficient in the short term for closure of main trunk veins, whereas longer term results are still scarce. Postoperative side effects of RFITT were minimal. 1064nm Nd:Yag laser, according to short term results, proved to be very effective for main stem vein closure. Postoperative side effects related to 1064 nm Nd:Yag endovenous laser treatment proved to be minor, transient, and acceptable.


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