[The effect of CO2 laser radiation on the morphological changes of mucocutaneous wound healing in oral surgery. A histo-enzymologic and ultrastructural study].

The tissular effects of CO2 laser were compared with those of conventional surgery on cutaneo-mucous biopsies performed during stomatologic surgery. Two hours after the incision, a cellular necrosis was seen and vessels were obliterated by a turgescent endothelium, explaining the bloodless character of wounds with laser. After 24 hours, though vasculo-exsudative end inflammatory reaction were weak, an intense functional stimulation of fibroblasts was obvious (turgescent cells with numerous organelles). At the 4th day, this fibroblastic hyperactivity was always persistant with an abundant microfibrillar secretion. Myofibroblasts, usually present during cicatrization after scalpel, were lacking in our material; this constatation should explain the relative slowness of cicatrization after CO2 laser.