Histology of laser- and high-frequency-electrosurgical incisions in the palate of pigs.

The histological effects of CO2-laser-, Nd-YAG-laser- and electrosurgical incisions were investigated in the oral mucosa of pigs. Laser- as well as electrosurgery caused necrosis by thermal effects. Undermining vacuolisation in the stratum basale and denaturation of collagenous fibers in the lamina propria were typical findings. The CO2-laser incisions were trough-like with a sharply bordered coagulation. The Nd-YAG-laser produced exclusively coagulation but no incision. Electrosurgery yielded radiating coagulation and the best ratio of depth of incision to width of coagulation.