THE USE OF THE POTASSIUM TITANYL PHOSPHATE (KTP) LASER IN NEUROSURGERY

The potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser recently has been introduced for use in surgery, but as yet, no data have been published concerning the safety or efficacy of use of the KTP laser in neurosurgery. A series of patients treated with the KTP laser that revealed some practical advantages of this instrument over other lasers presently available is reported. The KTP laser has been designed with user safety in mind. In general, the KTP laser, with its angled, low-profile, lightweight hand pieces, was especially useful in anatomically confined locations, where a laser beam directed from an attachment operated with a joy stick mounted on the operating microscope would prove awkward. The KTP laser provided very good hemostasis. Certain large fibrous tumors were found to be more easily removed using a combination of the KTP laser and ultrasonic aspiration rather than with either instrument alone.