Borderland Kids Get High-Tech Boost as El Paso Children’s Hospital Unveils Scar-Zapping Laser, 3D Scope
El Paso Children’s Hospital has rolled out two major upgrades in its operating rooms: a Lumenis UltraPulse CO2 laser and a ZEISS KINEVO 900 S 3D surgical microscope. Hospital leaders say the new gear will expand local treatment options for burn and scar patients and bolster surgical care across the Borderland.
According to the hospital, the Lumenis UltraPulse CO2 laser can target deep scars and burns by creating precise microscopic treatment areas that stimulate healing and improve the appearance and flexibility of damaged skin. The ZEISS KINEVO 900 S, they add, delivers 3D visualization for complex microsurgery. Jeannie Shaw, associate administrator at El Paso Children’s Hospital, said this laser is the only laser that's in the region and said, “It helps the scar tissue tremendously, so the patients will be able to get up faster, be mobilized faster,” as reported by KFOX14.
Laser Therapy That Targets Scar Tissue
Fractionated CO2 systems such as the UltraPulse are commonly used in pediatric and adult centers to break up dense scar tissue and restart the skin’s remodeling process. By producing tiny columns of controlled injury, the treatment prompts new collagen formation and can reduce stiffness and redness over successive sessions, a practice described by Boston Children's Hospital.
3D Visualization for Delicate Procedures
The ZEISS KINEVO 900 S combines optical magnification with exoscopic 4K/3D video and robotic positioning to improve how surgical teams view and work on minute anatomy like nerves and blood vessels. According to ZEISS, those capabilities enhance teaching, teamwork, and ergonomics in the operating room, potentially widening what surgeons can safely perform locally. The company highlights the system’s 4K 3D camera and digital visualization for real-time team viewing.
What It Means for Borderland Families
Hospital officials said bringing this level of cutting-edge technology closer to home should help more children get specialized care in El Paso rather than traveling to larger cities, as per KFOX14. They said that this may cut down on travel burdens and delays in follow-up care for families who previously had to leave the region for reconstructive or complex surgical procedures.
