Use of carbon dioxide laser for onychectomy in XXXX .

@entity1273 @entity548 @entity4 @entity515 @entity158 @entity468
OBJECTIVE: To compare postoperative signs of discomfort and complications associated with use of @entity515 laser for onychectomy with those of the scalpel technique in @entity468 . DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, masked clinical trial. ANIMALS: 20 client-owned @entity468 . PROCEDURE: Forelimb feet (right, left) were randomly assigned to laser and scalpel treatment groups. Signs of discomfort ( @entity1273 and signs of @entity158 ) and complications ( @entity548 , @entity4 , and discharge) were assessed on days 0, 1, and 7. Surgeries were performed by 1 experienced surgeon. Evaluations were performed by 2 individuals without knowledge of treatment group. Signs of discomfort and complications were scored on scales of 0 to 8 and 0 to 9, respectively. RESULTS: Onychectomy did not result in high discomfort or complication scores 1 day after surgery, regardless of technique used, although the laser-treated group had significantly lower scores for signs of discomfort and complications. Seven days after surgery, significant differences were not detected between groups for signs of discomfort or complications. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The @entity515 laser can be an excellent tool for onychectomy in @entity468 , with excellent hemostasis and minimal postoperative discomfort and complications. Differences in discomfort and complications between groups treated via scalpel versus @entity515 laser were not clinically relevant and were only observed 1 day after surgery.
