Cryosurgery is an established technique for the removal of a range of mucosal lesions. As the portable carbon dioxide laser may provide an alternative form of treatment, the effectiveness of and the healing response following use of the 2 techniques was compared by producing lesions on the lateral border of sheep tongues. Cryosurgery produced more extensive lesions with a marked inflammatory reaction but no differences in the time course of healing were evident. Laser surgery was as effective as cryosurgery in the removal of superficial tissues but caused less swelling and, therefore, may be advantageous in some clinical situations.