Effect of Initiators on Thermal Changes in Soft Tissues Using a Diode Laser.

Objective: The aim was to determine the effect of various initiators on the thermal changes that occur during incisions performed in soft tissues using a diode laser.

Background data: There are no studies that have assessed the effect of various initiators on the thermal changes that occur during incisions performed in soft tissues using a diode laser.

Materials and methods: Thermal changes were observed during standardized incisions in chicken breast (without skin) via thermoelements over a 10-sec irradiation period. Incisions were created using a 975 nm diode laser with a 320 μ fiber tip diameter. Incisions (10 in each group) were performed with and without an initiator (control group). Red/blue articulating paper, cork, and SureStep^® were used as initiators. The tissue was irradiated in a continuous wave mode at 3 and 6 W in room temperature (21°C).

Results: At 3 and 6 W without any initiator, the mean temperature increased by 5.7°C versus 12.4°C, respectively. Cork initiator at 3 and 6 W resulted in temperature increase by 4.88°C versus 6.21°C, respectively. Incisions made using the blue/red articulating paper-initiated tip resulted in temperature increase by 2.9/5.8°C versus 8.2/7.6°C at 3 and 6 W power settings, respectively. Initiation with SureStep resulted in temperature increase by 2.3°C and at 6 W by 4.1°C. No significant differences were recorded between the different groups, but higher temperatures were associated with higher power settings.

Conclusions: The power settings of the diode laser and type of initiator used, both effect the degree to which the temperature of the soft tissue increases during incisions and have to be considered for the safety in soft tissue applications.