The use of the carbon dioxide laser in plastic surgery.

For centuries, surgical technics have included sharp metal instruments for incisions and dissections together with time-consuming clamping and tying of vessels with associated blood loss. The CO2 laser presents the first major change in these basic technics. Our brief experience with the Sharplan 791 indicates consistently marked reduced blood loss, less postoperative edema, and less postoperative pain with no increased risk to the patient and no compromise in the end results. Admittedly, much more investigation is necessary to determine its full potential, and perhaps its contraindications. However, it would appear at this time that the proper use of this new modality should be incorporated into our armamentarium of tools for plastic surgical advantages consistent with sound surgical judgment.