Laser transmission through membranes using the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.

Many laser centres utilise various transparent membranes during treatment sessions with Q-switched lasers to prevent or reduce tissue splatter, thereby reducing the aerosolised biohazard of cellular debris to operator and laser. We performed a series of experiments with the Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser, a selection of 11 varieties of membrane and a power meter in order to ascertain which of the membranes was the most effective protector concerning transmission of laser energy. Other mechanical properties such as transparency, strength, ease of application, and flexibility were taken into account. Tegaderm (overall average 94% transmission), Cling Film (93%), Bioclusive (89%), Opsite (91%), and Microwave Cling Film (87%) all consistently performed well in pure transmission terms, whereas other membranes tested such as Acetate (74%), Grades of Melinex (75%, 72%, 75%), 2nd Skin (74%), and Perspex (68%) were unsuitable as protection. Cling Film proved to be the best all round membrane. We recommend its use for operator and laser protection against the tissue spatter produced from the Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser.