New clinical application of laser correction of cartilage shape for implantation in otolaryngology

Laser modelling of costal cartilage implants (grafts) of a given shape is a new promising technology in laser medicine. When the final shape of an implant is formed with a surgical scalpel, residual stresses lead to the distortion of the implant and decrease its survivability after the surgery. Laser-induced relaxation of the interstitial residual stresses without disturbing tissue functionality opens new possibilities for a wide range of implantology problems. This article is devoted to a new laser method of treatment of laryngeal stenosis using laser-modelled costal cartilage grafts for the closure of laryngotracheal defect in patients. The paper discusses the physical ground of the applied laser modes when the stresses at the graft borders are minimal which provides positive impact on the survival of the laser-modelled cartilage. The results of the first clinical application of this method are presented.