The term “laser” stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Ordinary light, such as that from a light bulb, has many wavelengths and spreads in all directions. Laser light, on the other hand, has a specific wavelength. It is focused in a narrow beam and creates a very high-intensity light. Because lasers can focus very accurately on tiny areas, they can be used for very precise surgical work or for cutting through tissue (in place of a scalpel).
Dr.Christopher S K
Consultant Advanced Minimally Invasive, Bariatric, GI and Laser Surgeon.
Laser surgery is a kind of surgery which makes use of the laser beam cutting power to obtain bloodless cuts in tissue or eliminate a superficial lesion such as a skin tumour. In other surgery areas, the techniques have been refined, in which no or smaller incisions are required. There are many types of lasers that are different in emitted light wavelengths and their power and ability to clot, cut or vaporize tissue.
Lasers are used for surgical applications in either contact or non-contact mode. In the former case, laser radiation heats up a specially designed surgical tip, which, in turn, is used to cut tissue through thermal conduction. Diode lasers are well suited for this mode of operation. Alternatively, in the non-contact mode, wavelength of the laser source is selected to utilize high water content of most soft tissues.
There is a diverse range of surgical applications that utilize lasers in the operating room. From general surgery to surgical specialties, surgeons use lasers to cut, coagulate and remove tissue. Depending on the laser type, wavelength and delivery system, lasers often times replace conventional surgical tools due to their better outcomes in wound healing.
Lasers are used to relieve bleeding or obstruction of some diseases. Lasers are applied to shrink or destroy and eliminate colon polyps and tumours that have intestinal or gastric obstruction. Lasers can close the nerve endings to relieve postoperative pain and seal the vessels of lymph to decrease swelling and the growth of tumour cells.
Procedures
Lasers are used in many types of surgical procedures. Some examples include
General surgery (such as Piles, Fissure, Fistula, Pilonidal Sinus, Wart removal, Cataract removal, 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)
Advantages of Laser Treatment Over Open Surgery
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.
Laser surgery uses non-ionizing radiation, so it is safe and does not have the same long-term risks as X-rays or other types of ionizing radiation.
Main Features
Laser Surgery
Open Surgical Procedures
Anaesthesia
LA/SA
SA / GA
Patient Hospital Stay
Day Care / 1 Day
3-7 Days
Pain (Post-Operative)
Low
High
Recovery Time
3 Days
10 Days
Recurrence
Low
High
Complication
Low
High
LA- Local Anaesthesia / SA- Spinal Anaesthesia / GA- General Anaesthesia
Risks of Laser:
As with any type of surgery, laser surgery has potential risks. Risks of laser surgery include mild pain, infection, bleeding, scarring, and skin colour changes. Most of the time these risks are much less than that happens in an open surgery.
Dr.Christopher S.K
Consultant Advanced Minimally Invasive Bariatric, GI & Laser Surgeon