Histology of laser- and high-frequency-electrosurgical incisions in the palate of pigs

Summary The histological effects of CO 2 -laser-, Nd-YAG-laser- and electrosurgical incisions were investigated in the oral mucosa of pigs. Laser- as well as electrosurgery caused necrosis by thermal effects. Undermining vacuolisation in the stratum basale and denaturation of collageneous fibers in the lamina propria were typical findings. The CO 2 -laser incisions were trough-like with a sharply bordered coagulation. The Nd-YAG-laser produced exclusively coagulation but no incision. Electrosurgery yielded radiating coagulation and the best ratio of depth of incision to width of coagulation.