<title>Phenomenon of cartilage shaping using moderate heating and its applications in otorhinolaryngology</title>

Abstract

We have established that the phenomenon of cartilage shaping under the laser irradiation is connected with the bound-to-free transformation of water at a temperature around 70 degrees Celsius. The process of laser-induced stress relaxation in cartilage is accompanied and may be detected by the (1) mechanical, (2) thermal, and (3) optical effects. No pronounced structure effects were observed, for optimal conditions of the laser shaping of cartilage. The significance for otolaryngology of new laser applications for the shaping of cartilage is discussed.