With the advancement of medical technology, laser surgery has gradually become a popular choice in the medical field. It cuts tissues through high-energy beams and provides many unique advantages compared to traditional scalpels. So why do doctors choose lasers over traditional scalpels? This article will explore the principles, applications, and place of laser surgery in modern medicine.
Laser surgery can effectively cut, vaporize, and coagulate tissue and reduce bleeding.
The basic principle of laser surgery is to use the highly directional and concentrated nature of lasers to precisely cut or vaporize tissue without causing excessive damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Different wavelengths of lasers can produce different effects. For example, carbon dioxide lasers excel in cutting and coagulation, while nickel-chromium solid-state lasers are widely used in ophthalmic surgery.
Laser surgery is used in nearly every area of medicine, from dermatology and dentistry to ophthalmology and internal medicine. Here are some of the main application areas:
Laser surgery has shown excellent results in the treatment of skin diseases. For example, scars, blood vessels, and pigmented lesions can be removed using CO2 lasers. Laser remodeling techniques are often used to improve skin texture and make the skin look younger. The core of these technologies is the principle of selective photothermolysis, in which the laser directly attaches heat energy to the target tissue, causing it to coagulate or necrotize.
In ophthalmology, laser technology is used to correct vision, the best known techniques being LASIK and opthalmology. During LASIK surgery, the surgeon uses a laser to precisely cut the cornea and then reshape it to improve vision. Lasers can also be used to repair retinal tears and treat various types of eye diseases.
Medical surgery such as laser resection has performed well in the treatment of digestive tract diseases. For example, laser is used to treat esophageal varices and early gastric cancer. The non-invasive nature of laser surgery makes it a safer and more effective treatment option.
The main benefits of laser surgery include:
As technology continues to advance, the safety and effectiveness of laser surgery are also increasing, making this method of choice for many doctors for a variety of procedures. While laser surgery offers significant benefits, there are still some situations where traditional surgical approaches need to be carefully considered. With the evolution of medical technology, will laser surgery become the mainstream choice in the medical field in the future?