Infrared laser stapedotomy.

A pulsed holmium: YAG laser (lambda = 1980 nm) was used to perform 0.4 mm stapedotomy fenestrations in human stapes footplates from freshly dissected cadavers under simulated surgical conditions. The energy was coupled into a 400 microns core diameter nylon fiber. Thermal gradients were then measured following laser applications and tissue responses examined by light microscopy. The results of this study suggest the feasibility of using a surgical holmium: YAG laser in middle ear surgery.