Preliminary experiences with the use of three lasers (CO2, Nd: YAG, Argon) in some posterior fossa tumors in childhood.

The authors present 5 cases of posterior fossa tumors in childhood operated on using three laser sources: CO2, Nd: YAG and Argon. Each laser source is used as required during the different steps of the operation: CO2 for cutting and vaporizing, Nd: YAG for shrinking the tumoral mass and deep coagulation and Argon for selective cutting and superficial coagulation of small vessels. The main advantages of multiple laser surgery are: (1) a more radical surgery with less side effects (edema); (2) the possibility of operating near high functional structures with great accuracy, and (3) reduction of blood loss.