Endoscopic Laser Treatment for Pediatric Nasal Allergy

We have used the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and the gallium aluminium arsenide (GaAlAs) diode laser with flexible fiber delivery instruments for vaporization of the inferior nasal turbinate in pediatric patients since 1993. Under endoscopic control, the whole inferior turbinate was vaporized by 5–10 W laser output delivered via an optical fiber. Generally, the nasal mucosa changes into normal mucosa, and symptoms improve. The greatest symptomatic improvement was in nasal obstruction. The results obtained by the two laser devices were similar although they have had different characteristics. Endoscopic laser surgery is effective in the treatment of pediatric nasal allergy.

The effect of Gallium Aluminium Arsenide laser on fibroblast activity: An in vitro dosimetry study

The effect of different doses of low intensity laser therapy (L.I.L.T.) on human fibroblasts was investigated to determine the optimal dose required to stimulate fibroblast proliferation. Human fibroblasts were cultured in vitro and irradiated with different energy densities of 83Onm continuous output infra-red laser using a Gallium Aluminium Arsenide laser. The fibroblasts were irradiated on three consecutive days at energy densities, ranging from 0.2 to 5 J.cm2, delivered at an average radiant power of 30 mW, and at a constant distance of lcm from the fibroblasts. Fibroblast activity was assessed on the fourth day using a calorimetric MTT (tetrazolium) cleavage assay. There was a significant increase in fibroblast proliferation at laser treatment energy densities of 0.4 J.cm2 and 5 J.cm2. Difficulties associated with in vivo and in vitro studies of the effect of laser treatment are discussed.

Electroacupuncture and Laser Stimulation Treatment: Evaluated by Somatosensory Evoked Potential in Conscious Rabbits

Tooth pulp generated somatosensory evoked potential (TPSEP) recordings were used to evaluate analgesic responses to Electroacupuncture (EA) and laser stimulation (Ls) treatments in Dutch-hybrid male rabbits. TPSEP recorded 100 trials at 30 minute intervals for 120 minutes. Three groups, EA, Ls and control were analyzed. The EA group received intermittent 4 Hz, intensity 2-10 volts electro-stimulation for twenty minutes. In the Ls group, a gallium aluminium arsenide (GaAlAs) laser diode with wavelength 780 nm, switched pulse frequency 9720 Hz, energy density 0.6 J/point was employed. Both EA and Ls groups received stimulation of the points Ho-ku (LI-4) and Tzu-San-Li (ST-36). Results showed tooth pulp generated noxious stimulation produced a consistent late near-field SEP waveform, which is similar to those recorded in humans and correlated to the sensation of pains, thus confirming that tooth pulp stimulation is a reliable dolormetric index. EA and Ls TPSEP recordings showed decreased peak-wave amplitude in late near-field components. These decreases correlate to analgesia. This technique provides an objective and reliable dolormetric index.