Histopathological and Electrophysiological Study of CO2, Er:YAG, and CO2 + Er:YAG Laser Effect on Peripheral Nerve

The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological, histopathological, and electrophysiological changes of peripheral nerve after CO2 (carbon dioxide), Er:YAG (erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet), and CO2 + Er:YAG laser irradiation. There have been no comparative reports on CO2, Er:YAG, and CO2 + Er:YAG laser effects on peripheral nerve. Thirty Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to three groups. Group I received CO2, group II Er:YAG, and group III CO2 + Er:YAG laser irradiation. Contralateral untreated sciatic nerves from the same animals were used as controls. The effect of laser on the peripheral nerve was assessed morphologically, histopathologically, and electrophysiologically after 6 weeks of laser irradiation. No significant difference was observed between the treated and the untreated nerves. The overall findings indicated that CO2, Er:YAG, and CO2 + Er:YAG lasers may be used safely in nerve tissue surgery.