Partial kidney resection based on 1.94 μm fiber laser system

A 1.94 μm Laser-Scalpel system (Starmedtec, Starnberg, Germany) emitting at a wavelength at 1.94 μm and a max. laser power 18 W (cw mode) was used for partial resection of porcine kidney. Partial resection was performed on 9 kidneys. Six kidneys were extracted directly after resection and pigs were sacrificed. The remaining three pigs were kept alive for 2 weeks post resection in order to investigate the healing process. No complications during the operation and during the 2 weeks survival period were found. Total resection time including haemostasis of the remaining tissue was 10.2±6.5 min, blood lost was 14.7±29 ml. Haemostatic property of the 1.94 μm Laser-Scalpel was sufficient. Histological evaluation with H&E stained tissue samples showed medium carbonization and a thermal damage zone of 1mm. In conclusion, the first experiments show that the 1.94 μm Laser-Scalpel is a very promising device for bloodless and fast kidney resection.