Fracture Healing in Rabbits after Osteotomy Using the CO2Laser

Abstract

Fracture healing was studied in 28 rabbits after their femurs were osteotomized using the CO2 laser. Rabbits (20) whose femurs were osteotomized by a Gigli saw served as the control group. Fracture healing was initially delayed in the laser cut femurs; yet after 60 days no significant difference between the groups was detected. The initial delay was caused by thermal damage to the laser cut bone edges. Further fragmentation of the damaged bone occurred during the immediate postoperative period.