Reduction mammoplasty: The use of contact Tip ND:YAG laser

Abstract

The dizzying pace of scientific discoveries and their application in medical technology during the past 50 years has been beyond anybody's expectation. Since the introduction of ruby laser by Maiman in 1960, the laser application can be found in every walk of life and in every corner of the medical field. Reduction mammoplasty requires extensive dissection in developing skin-fat flap and removing excess breast tissue. There are two issues associated with dissection; a significant blood loss and the need to preserve necessary core blood flow to the nipple-areolar complex. While the use of scalpel allows free flow of blood during dissection, the use of electric cautery creates extensive lateral thermal damage. The use of contact tip Nd:YAG laser compliments the use of either of the surgical instruments. It provides coagulation of blood vessels while dissecting with lesser degree of lateral thermal damage [1]. The CO2 laser is also used widely in various surgical dissections. However, the ability of CO2 laser to coagulate is very limited making it impractical for use in massive surgical dissection that involves larger blood vessels. CO2 laser also lacks contact feedback. Contact tip Nd:YAG laser is unique among the medical laser equipments for its ability to use solid tip to deliver laser energy as opposed to free beam. This feature satisfies many surgeons' need for a contact feedback that is so crucial in order to maximize fine surgical tissue hand ling. There have been limited experiences with mastectomy and cosmetic breast surgery utilizing the contact tip laser [1-3]. © 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.