The Benefits of Laser Surgery: A Comprehensive Overview

Understanding Laser Surgery

Laser surgery involves the use of a light beam that is focused on a very small area. The heat generated by the laser causes the cells in that area to burst. The color of the light beam used in the surgery is directly related to the type of surgery and the color of the tissue being treated.

Laser surgery is commonly used on the eyes, with techniques such as LASIK, used to correct near and far-sightedness, and photorefractive keratectomy, a procedure that permanently reshapes the cornea using a laser to remove a small amount of tissue.

Types of Surgical Lasers

There are several types of surgical lasers, each with its unique properties and uses:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser: This laser converts light energy into heat strong enough to reduce bleeding while the tissue is being cut.
• Argon laser: This laser offers the penetration needed for eye surgery and superficial skin disorders.
• Nd:YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) laser: This laser is capable of penetrating tissue more deeply than other lasers.
• Pulsed dye laser: These deliver an intense burst of light into targeted areas of the skin.

Applications of Laser Surgery

Laser surgeries have a wide range of applications, including:

• EYE LASIK: This surgery is used to treat refractive error, an eye disorder where vision becomes blurred. LASIK reshapes the layers underneath the cornea and treats the refractive error.
• IntraLASIK: In this procedure, the surgeon uses a laser instead of a knife to cut the flap.
• Photorefractive keratectomy: This procedure reshapes the cornea without cutting the flap.
• Laser thermal keratoplasty: The surgeon makes burns in the cornea to deepen the surface, thus improving near vision.
• Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK): This removes surface irregularities from the cornea.
• Laser coagulation: The laser is used to treat blood vessels in the eye for various conditions.
• Endovascular surgery: Lasers can assist in procedures like Laser endarterectomy, Recanalization, angioplasties, and Laser-assisted vascular anastomosis.
• Foot and ankle surgery: Lasers are used to treat several conditions in the foot and ankle, including benign and malignant tumors, ingrown nails, club nail, fungus nail, etc.
• Gastro-intestinal tract: Lasers are used to treat several disorders in the Gastro-intestinal tract.

Advantages of Laser Surgery

Laser surgeries are often referred to as "bloodless surgery" as they involve less bleeding than traditional surgery. The heat generated by the laser reduces the risk of infection as the surgical area is sterilized, free of germs. Laser surgeries are also time-efficient and cost-effective. Post-surgery, patients experience less swelling or scarring, and the recovery time is generally shorter compared to traditional surgery.

Post-Surgery Care

Post-surgery care is crucial after laser surgery. Doctors typically prescribe pain-relieving medicines and provide instructions on how to take the medications. The recovery time varies from patient to patient and depends on the type of surgery performed. However, recoveries from laser surgeries are generally faster than those from traditional surgeries.