Pulsed holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser ablation of fibrocartilage and articular cartilage

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Abstract
A new, near-infrared, pulsed holmium laser (wave length, 2.1 μm; pulse duration, 400 μs) was used to ablate bovine articular cartilage and meniscal fibrocar tilage. Microscopic examination revealed zones of ther mal damage extending 550 μm from ablation sites. Ablation rates were measured with a mass loss tech nique. Above threshold, mass removal rates were pro portional to laser radiant exposure. Threshold radiant exposure for ablation was 50 J/cm2 for articular carti lage and 11 J/cm2 for meniscal fibrocartilage. Because the holmium laser can precisely and rapidly resect cartilaginous tissues with only moderate necrosis, func tion in a saline environment in direct contact with tissue, and be transmitted through conventional optical fibers, it has the potential to become a useful tool for the precise arthroscopic removal of intraarticular tissue.