Difference between continuous wave and superpulse carbon dioxide laser in bladder surgery.
Adult exteriorized rabbit bladders were treated with both continuous wave and rapid superpulsed laser energy. A carbon dioxide laser was utilized in these studies. Time and power density were varied, and the effect in both acute and delayed preparations was noted. An additional group of animals treated with the carcinogen dibutylnitrosamine was studied in a similar manner. The depth of tissue ablated was monitored by the operating microscope and varied from 1 to 2 mm., using the power-time grid we employed. Not only could the depth of destruction be controlled, but also re-epithelialization was apparent in one and one-half to three and one-half weeks after destruction. Differences between superpulsed and continuous wave carbon dioxide laser energy are compared.