Laser Surgery: Why is it a bloodless Surgery?

Laser surgery is a type of surgery which involves the usage of focused light, called laser light to perform various surgical operations. A laser stands for ‘Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation’. A laser is a focused beam of light, tuned to specific wavelengths.

A laser surgery operation can be used in various types of surgeries to:

• – Remove or shrink tumors.
• – Cut or destroy abnormal tissues without damaging normal and healthy tissues.
• – Cauterize (seal) blood vessels to prevent blood loss.
• – Remove tattoos, warts, moles, scars, wrinkles, and birthmarks.
• – Remove kidney stones.
• – Repair the detached retina.
• – Treat hair loss involving alopecia or old age.
• – Close off nerve endings to reduce postoperative pain.

– Close lymph vessels to reduce swelling and preventing the growth of cancer.

Different types of lasers are used for different types of surgeries. For example, a CO2 laser is used to make small cuts for making shallow cuts for treating superficial cancers like skin cancer. Nd: YAG lasers are to treat throat cancers. They can penetrate deeper into the tissues and can clot the blood quickly. Laser-Induced Interstitial Thermotherapy (LITT) involves the usage of lasers for heating certain areas of the body. The heat results in shrinkage, damaging and destroying of the tumor. Argon lasers pass through the superficial layers only and are used in Photodynamic therapy (PDT) to activate chemicals in cancer cells.

Laser surgery is often called as ‘bloodless surgery’ because it involves very minimal bleeding than conventional surgery. It often takes less time. It has very high accuracy and requires a smaller incision. The heat generated from the laser keeps the site free from germs and requires less recovery time.

The risks involved in laser surgery include hemorrhage, infection, perforation of organ and tissues. The intended effects may not be permanent and repeated sessions of laser operations may be required.