Flashlamp pulsed dye laser (585 nm). Treatment of resistant verrucae.

The treatment of recalcitrant plantar verrucae has represented challenging clinical problems for podiatric physicians. A procedure described by Borovoy et al studying 46 patients initially indicated a success rate of 76.1%. A review of 200 patients who have been treated with refined treatment protocols and modalities is presented, with an overall success rate of 79.9%. The Candella SPTL 1 and 1B have been used in the study. These lasers produce a full 450-microsecond pulse at 585 nm wave length. Hand pieces ranging from 2 mm to 7 mm were used. The energy density (fluence) used ranged from 6 to 9 J/cm2. Discussion will be presented including treatment protocol, modalities, comparisons with other forms of treatment, and overall success rates.

Physics of laser beam interactions with living tissue.

This article examines fundamental laser physics and the manner in which the laser transfers energy to the surface of the body and how living cells react. Topics include the significance of absorption and scattering coefficients, assumptions for analysis of laser-beam interactions with living tissue, depth of vaporization of tissue, and mass of tissue vaporized.

Carbon dioxide laser studies of defects in articular cartilage.

With this further refinement, the author and colleagues hope to establish a reliable method of calculating the depth of penetration necessary to induce a deficit that will cause chondrogenesis in a predictable, reliable fashion. It is hoped that this will allow for consistent results so this technique may be used for the treatment of cartilage degeneration and certain arthritides. In addition, it is hoped that the fibrous cartilage regenerated from the experiments with animals will produce viable information that will lead to extensive human applications in the near future. The author also hopes that many joint destructive procedures such as arthroplasties and some implant procedures may be eliminated, and that this investigation will lead to advances that will eliminate much of the morbidity of arthritis.

The treatment of verrucae vulgaris with carbon dioxide laser surgery.

Verrucae vulgaris is a common soft tissue lesion of the foot caused by the human papovavirus. This article reviews the problems associated with conventional treatment and outlines the benefits of carbon dioxide laser treatment. The author describes the laser procedure in detail and provides guidelines for posttreatment management.

Doped ZnS:Mn nanoparticles obtained by sonochemical synthesis.

A study of sonochemically synthesized ZnS:Mn nanoparticles is presented. The particles prepared at low rf power (about 20 W) and room temperature coalesce to form morphologically amorphous large species (30-100 nm in diameter). As the power is increased in the range from 20 to 70 W, and the solution temperature is raised to 60 to 80 degrees C, finer particles are produced with the size ranging from 2 to 20 nm and improved crystallinity. The results indicate the dispersion of the Mn(2+) ions at near-surface sites in the particles. It is shown that the sonochemically fabricated particles approach the quality of the ones obtained by a standard chemical route and show a reasonable luminescence performance.

Pivotal resection of heel spurs in sports medicine: a case study and presentation.

Using the cresentic pivotal saw for resecting a heel spur in a new method whereby a plantar heel spur can be removed in toto with no irregular osseous margins remaining. Consequently, less trauma to the calcaneus occurs and the process of postoperative recovery is enhanced. This technique is new to the literature. Presently, we are developing a more sophisticated blade.

Fibular sesamoidectomy: an illustrated surgical technique.

The fibular sesamoidectomy, used frequently in a modified McBride bunionectomy for hallux valgus surgical correction, is a difficult procedure to perform. The authors hope that the descriptive drawings and the technique as described in this article will help to simplify the procedure.

A new classification of first metatarsophalangeal joint dislocations (type I B).

Dorsal dislocation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint is a rare occurrence that has been infrequently reported in the podiatric literature. Two types of dislocations have been described. The authors review the mechanisms of injury and describe a third type of dislocation not yet reported in the literature.

Healing of laser-induced defects of articular cartilage: preliminary studies.

The investigators have induced defects to the articular surfaces of knee joints in rabbits with the use of a CO2 laser. Subsequent healing of these defects have been studied and are described. This work has demonstrated healing with formation of fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage in two of eight cases. Further investigation with improved techniques will be undertaken in order to produce effective healing on a more consistent basis. This article also reviews previous investigation related to the healing of cartilage defects.

Carbon dioxide laser methodology for ablation of plantar verrucae.

Treatment of plantar verrucae has been discussed frequently in medical literature. The present authors discuss a regimen that combines skin currettement with CO2 laser vaporization. They claim that this method provides predictable, successful results (54.5% to 89%) with additional advantages of diminished pain and reduced healing time.

Laser safety in podiatry.

Lasers are being used more often in podiatric medicine than ever before. New modalities have certain characteristics that might endanger either the patient and/or the operator or the supportive staff. "Laser Safety in Podiatry" will outline the safety measures in patient protection, operator protection, and supportive staff protection.

Postoperative cellulitis of the foot and lower leg following coronary bypass.

Greater saphenous vein grafts are standardly used for coronary artery bypass grafting. Recurrent acute cellulitis of the saphenous vein-donor extremity is an infrequently reported complication. The authors present a protocol designed to reduce the incidence of the recurrent cellulitis through proper preoperative assessment and postoperative management.

Laser surgery in podiatric medicine--present and future.

Laser surgery in podiatric medicine is now in its most formative stages. Foot surgery lends itself to the utilization of the laser technique very readily. At the present time the laser is utilized in foot surgery at Sinai Hospital in Detroit for eradication of plantar verrucae, for excision of Morton's neuroma, for common nail pathology such as ingrown borders and traumatic ram's horn nails, and for correction of mycotic nail plates.