RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Accuracy and predictability of damage to soft tissue and cartilage are important factors in choosing the most suitable laser for laryngotracheal operations. Hemostasis is also major significance when treating highly vascular lesions inside the tracheobronchial tree. The CO2 laser has a 10.6micormeter infrared wavelength and can be used to vaporize and excise tissue accurately with minimal thermal damage to surrounding tissues. Laminin is a family of extracellular matrix glycoproteins localized in the basement membrane that separates epithelial cells from the underlying stroma. The biological activities of laminin to promote cell migration, growth and differentiation, suggest that laminin may have important roles in wound repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The histologic changes and the expression of laminin activities following incision of tracheal mucosa by CO2 laser were studied over a period of 7 days in a rabbit model. RESULTS: Some laminin positive fragments of the epithelial basement membranes could be seen in the wound at 12 hours. At 3 days, initial re-epithelialization was evident in the healing laser wound and an intensive positive staining for laminin was found in newly developed epithelial tissue. Re-epithelialization had proceeded to near completion by day 7 of surgery and the basement membranes containing laminin were much less conspicuous in the subepithelium at laser receiving sites than in the normal mucosa. CONCLUSION: Laminin plays an essential role in the initial cell proliferation of the basal cell layer by forming important landmarks for the migration of the epithelial cells.