Production of a nasoantral window with an Ar+-laser.

In vitro experiments on perforating and cutting 14 human nasoantral walls using an argon laser are described. The drilling velocity is proportional to the power density up to 100 W/mm2. The cutting velocity is measured using focussed spots of 40 micrometer diameter and powers from 5 to 40 W. Histological studies were performed at the edges of the lesion. The experiments show that the technical problem for producing a window in the nasoantral wall using a laser can be solved.