BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES We introduce a novel CO(2) laser device that utilizes ablative fractional resurfacing for deep dermal tissue removal and characterize the resultant thermal effects in skin. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS A prototype 30 W, 10.6 microm CO(2) laser was focused to a 1/e(2) spot size of 120 microm and pulse duration up to 0.7 milliseconds to achieve a microarray patte...

Human type 1 diabetes mellitus occurs due to chronic inflammation with lymphocytic infiltration and (usually) the presence of antibodies against insulin and characteristic islet cell proteins (e.g., GAD). This autoimmune process destroys the islets of Langerhans (including the beta cells) leading to insulin insufficiency. In several studies to date diabetes in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse...

Laser and laser-like assisted facial rejuvenation has become very popular during the last decade. Although a myriad of techniques are available, such approaches can be divided into four basic approaches. There are those that (i) ablate the epidermis, cause dermal wounding, and provide a significant thermal effect (CO(2) lasers); (ii) ablate the epidermis, cause dermal wounding, and minimal ther...

BACKGROUND To our knowledge, no systematic analysis of nonablative laser therapy has been performed. OBJECTIVE To alter the parameters (fluence, spot size, pulse duration, and use of cooling spray) for the pulsed dye laser to determine the precise settings that would yield the most favorable dermal remodeling in a porcine model. METHODS Research was conducted in an animal laboratory at Alba...

Atrial fibrillation is a diverse clinical entity, with persistent atrial (PeAF) being particularly challenging to manage. Through this paper, we discuss notable developments in our understanding of ablative strategies for managing PeAF, special focus on posterior wall isolation (PWI).

PURPOSE We report the results of pediatric retroperitoneoscopic renal ablative surgeries, which were performed with only three trocars. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the charts of children who underwent laparoscopic urological procedures on the upper urinary tract at our institution between 2006 and 2012. These procedures consisted of nephrectomies, nephroureterectomies an...

BACKGROUND Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been increasingly used to treat malignant skin tumors including the Bowen disease. However, patients could be displeased with the long incubation time required for conventional PDT. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the efficacy and safety of PDT with a short incubation time of ablative CO2 fractional laser pretreatment for treating Bowen disease. METH...

AIM The standard treatment for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is surgical resection. Only 20-30% of patients are deemed suitable for surgery. Recently, much attention has focused on ablative therapies either to treat unresectable CRLM or to extend the margins of resectability. This review aims to assess the long-term outcome and complication rates of various ablative therapies used in the m...