Abstract Otology 2000 A18-2

Vasile Ciuchi MD, PhD

ENT Clinic Central Military Hospital ROM-Bucharest

The use of laser in middle ear surgery in the last 25 years was a technical progress for otologic surgery. The lasers have series of properties that depend on the wavelength, therefore with different advantages and disadvantages. The Er : Yag laser has a light emission in the infrared scale with a wavelength of 2940 nm, which doesn't penetrate liquids and doesn't produce any thermic effect on the tissue. The focused spot up to 330 µm allows very precisely applications with the micromanipulator and delicate bone cuts. In the middle ear surgery, the author used the Er:Yag laser advantages in the functional reconstruction surgery for different disease. There are presented the qualities of the laser for the otologic surgery and many of the technical possibilities that were tested in myringoplasties, osiculoplasties, tympanosclerosis and stapes surgery, Goodhill syndrome, and other reconstructions. The absence of local negative effects and the advantages of the Er:Yag laser recommend it to promote new surgical techniques and to improve the results.