CO2 lasers in ENT

Purpose: Since 1970's several types of lasers are being used in otolaryngology and probably many more would be used in future. Among these, carbon dioxide laser is still the most commonly used for the surgery of the upper aerodigestive tract. Our experience with CO2 laser is demonstrated in this report. Methods: Two hundred and fifty operations were performed on 165 selected cases with a Sharplan 1040 CO2 microsurgical laser system in Cukurova University Medical Faculty ENT Department between 1987 and 1994. Results and Conclusion: Laser surgery seems to be better than conventional methods probably due to precision, hemostasis, facility and minimal scarring characteristics of CO2 laser