Medical lasers are devices that are used by precisely focusing light sources on certain areas to treat and remove tissues. Laser lights have a fixed wavelength as opposed to normal light sources, therefore they are able to focus in a narrow beam and create a very high-intensity light. Since lasers are able to focus on small areas, they can be used to accomplish precise surgical work.
Risks and Benefits
With proper use, lasers allow the surgeon to accomplish more complex tasks, reduce blood loss, decrease postoperative discomfort, reduce the chance of wound infection, and achieve better wound healing.As with any type of surgery, laser surgery has potential risks. Risks of laser surgery include incomplete treatment of the problem, pain, infection, bleeding, scarring, and skin color changes.Laser surgery uses non-ionizing radiation, so it does not have the same long-term risks as x-rays or other types of ionizing radiation.
Procedures
Lasers are used in many types of surgical procedures. Some examples include
Cosmetic surgery (to remove tattoos, scars, stretch marks, sunspots, wrinkles, birthmarks, spider veins or hair)
Refractive eye surgery (to reshape the cornea in order to correct or improve vision as in LASIK or PRK)
Dental procedures (such as endodontic/periodontic procedures, tooth whitening, and oral surgery)
General surgery (such as tumor removal, cataract removal, breast surgery, plastic surgery and most other surgical procedures)Cosmetic surgery (to remove tattoos, scars, stretch marks, sunspots, wrinkles, birthmarks, spider veins or hair)
Refractive eye surgery (to reshape the cornea in order to correct or improve vision as in LASIK or PRK)
Dental procedures (such as endodontic/periodontic procedures, tooth whitening, and oral surgery)
General surgery (such as tumor removal, cataract removal, breast surgery, plastic surgery and most other surgical procedures)