Oral Lesions Induced by Scalpel,Electrocautery,and CO 2 Laser Compared with Light,Scanning,and Electron Microscopy

In the oral cavity of 20 albino rats, the tissue effects of interventions by surgical scalpel, electrocautery, and CO₂ laser beam were studied. According to light microscopic studies, both the laser and electrocautery resulted in thermal damage in the typical zones. The scalpel makes the cut surface ragged. The width of the zone of thermal damage caused by electrocautery is manifold compared to that after use of the laser. Scanning electron microscopic studies confirmed that laser interventions resulted in sharp wound edges. The wounds made by cautery were characterized by a large number of carbonized granules, whereas the scalpel created a mechanical tearing of tissues. Using electron microscopic studies, properties of the typical zones of thermal damage were revealed. It is established that the ultrastructural damage extends to 400 μm with the laser, whereas with electrocautery, it reaches a width of 1500 μm. In contrast to the wide thermal damage zone induced by the cautery, the excellent hemostatic effect of lasing developed extremely mild thermal damage. The comparison of the tissue effects found after using the three different instruments also justifies the suitability of the CO₂ laser for the careful cutting of tissues and preservation of healthy structures.