Merrimack Carbon Dioxide Laser

The Merrimack 840 is a 40 watt carbon dioxide laser which has been in use at the Lloyd Dermatology and Laser Center for nearly twenty years. The C02 laser is extremely versatile and very effective. It is normally considered the workhorse laser for most surgical dermatology practices.

The Merrimack laser operates in both a focused and defocused mode. When focused, the laser beam functions much like a scalpel, but with less bleeding. This permits the removal of larger lesions in the office, without the cost and inconvenience of hospitalization.

When the beam is defocused, the Merrimack laser can vaporize cutaneous lesions from the surface of the skin without disturbing the underlying tissue. This feature is of particular significance for the removal of scalp lesions where maintenance of hair growth is important.

Laser removal of tumor from ear canal

This tumor in the ear canal was enlarging, unsightly, and was interfering with the patient's hearing. Its removal from the ear was complicated by limited access, poor visibility, and the need to keep blood away from the eardrum, as well as the desire to preserve the cosmetic appeal of the ear. With the help of the Carbon Dioxide laser, this procedure was completed in the office. It required approximately 15 minutes and was completed in a "bloodless field" (Lloyd, KM (1990)).

Surgical reconstruction of nose

Severe acne rosacea can occasionally lead to an enlarged nose. This condition occurs most commonly in men, and is referred to rhinophyma. The surgical reconstruction of this nose was performed on site at the Lloyd Dermatology and Laser Center with the CO2 laser (Lloyd, KM (1990)).

Treatment of pyogenic granuloma

The pyogenic granuloma often appears suddenly and is a rapidly growing vascular tumor which usually occurs at a site of trauma. They are known to bleed easily and become quite large. The carbon dioxide laser is extremely effective in managing these tumors, and the use of a little intradermal local anesthetic at the tumor base greatly reduces bleeding with the procedure. The entire lesion can be curetted or tangentially excised. The base is then lightly vaporized with the laser. Minimal scarring is seen. The amelanotic melanoma can mimic the pyogenic granuloma, making pathological examination mandatory for these lesions.

The previous examples are meant to demonstrate the superiority of laser surgery and the versatility of the Carbon Dioxide laser. They do not however, guarantee future surgical results.

The Sharplan compact Model 40C carbon dioxide laser is the modern-day equivalent of the Merrimack laser, and was added to the laser center in 1995.

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Did you know?

In the photo at left, the weight of the nose completely occluded both nostrils when the patient was lying down. This was a significant problem when sleeping, resulting in severe mouth breathing and snoring. The procedure successfully reestablished the air passages and allowed normal breathing again.