The CO2 laser is a precise, but potentially dangerous surgical instrument which must be used with caution. The danger of an airway fire or explosion is always present during laser. Therefore, protection of the endotracheal tube from either direct or reflected laser beam irradiation is of primary importance. This presentation is intended to bring materials processing experts and otolaryngologists together in an attempt to find a better solution to a difficult problem.
REFERENCES
1.
2.
Strong
MS
, Jako
GJ
, Vaughan
CW
, et al: The use of the CO2 laser in otolaryngology: a progress report
. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol
82
:595
–602
, 1976
.3.
Burgess
GE
, LeJeune
FE
: Endotracheal tube ignition during laser surgery of the larynx
. Arch Oto
105
:561
–562
, 1979
.4.
Cozine
K
, Rosenbaum
LM
, Askanzi
J
. et al: Laser-induced endotracheal tube fire
. Anesthesiology
55
:583
–585
, 1981
.5.
Hirshman
CA
, Smith
J
: Indirect ignition of the endotracheal tube during carbon dioxide surgery
. Arch Otolaryngol
106
:639
–641
, 1980
.6.
Schramm
VL
, Mattox
DE
, Stool
SE
: Acute management of laser-ignited intratracheal explosion
. The Laryngoscope
91
:1417
–1426
, 1981
.7.
Leibowitz
HM
, Peacock
GR
: Corneal injury produced by carbon dioxide laser radiation
. Arch Ophthal
81
:713
–721
, 1969
.8.
Meyers
A
: Complications of CO2 laser surgery of the larynx
. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol
. 90
:132
–134
, 1981
.9.
Alberti
PW
: The complications of CO2 laser surgery in otolaryngology
. Acta Otolarynol
91
:375
–381
, 1981
.10.
Treyve
E
, Yarington
CT
, Thompson
GE
: Incendiary characteristics of endotracheal tubes with the carbon dioxide laser
. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol
90
:328
–330
, 1981
.11.
Carruth
JAS
, McKenzie
AL
, Wainwright
AC
: The carbon dioxide laser: safety aspects
. The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
94
:411
–417
, 1980
.12.
Ruder
CB
, Rapheal
NL
, Abramson
AL
, et al: Anesthesia for carbon dioxide laser microsurgery of the larynx
. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
89
:732
–737
, 1981
.13.
Snow
JC
, Norton
ML
, Saluja
TS
, et al: Fire hazard during CO2 laser microsurgery of the larynx and trachea
. Anesth Analg
55
:146
–147
, 1976
.14.
Snow
JC
, Kripke
BJ
, Strong
MS
, et al: Anesthesia for carbon dioxide laser microsurgery of the larynx and trachea
. Anesth Analg
53
:505
–512
, 1974
.15.
Vourc’h
G
, Tannieres
ML
, Freche
G
: Anaesthesia for microsurgery of the larynx using a a carbon dioxide laser
. Anaesthesia
34
:53
–57
, 1979
.16.
Konchigeri
HN
, Shaker
MH
: Anaesthesia for intra-laryngeal laser surgery
. Canad Anaesth Soc J
21
:343
–349
, 1974
.17.
Ossoff
RH
, Karlan
MS
, Sisson
GA
: Endoscopic laser aryteniodectomy
. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
(in press).
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1982 Laser Institute of America.
1982
Laser Institute of America
You do not currently have access to this content.