Laser surgery Health Article

Definition

Laser surgery is a medical procedure that uses laser light to remove diseased tissues or treat bleeding blood vessels. Laser surgery may also be used for cosmetic purposes, such as removing wrinkles, tattoos, or birthmarks.

Alternative Names

Surgery using a laser

Description

A laser is a light beam that can be precisely focused. It is used to treat tissues by heating the targeted cells until they "burst."

There are several types of lasers, including the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, the YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) laser, and the pulsed dye laser. Each laser has specific uses. The color of the light beam used is directly related to the type of surgery being performed and the color of the tissue being treated.

Why the Procedure Is Performed

Laser surgery can be used to:

• Close small blood vessels to reduce blood loss
• Close lymph vessels to reduce swelling and decrease the spread of tumor cells
• Close nerve endings to reduce pain that occurs after surgery
• Remove tumors (such as those in the brain or liver)
• Remove warts, moles, and tattoos
• Reduce the appearance of skin wrinkles, scars, and other skin blemishes
• Remove hair

Risks

Possible risks of laser surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Incomplete treatment of the problem
• Infection
• Pain
• Scarring
• Skin color changes

Some laser surgery is done when you under general anesthesia. Be sure to discuss the risks with your health care provider.

After the Procedure

How well a patient does depends on the condition being treated. Always talk to your health care provider about your expected recovery before surgery.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The amount of time it takes to recover from surgery depends on the surgery and on the individual. Based on an evaluation of your health status prior to surgery, your health care provider can give you a good estimate of the recovery time.