7 Reasons to Use Lasers in Medicine
13.01.2016 16:51:00
The first publications on the use of laser radiation for medical purposes date back to 1961, just one year after the development of the first lasers. Since then, active research into the effects of lasers on biological tissue and the search for new treatment methods have begun. During this period, effective laser surgical treatments for a wide range of conditions have been developed. Today, laser medical devices are a familiar tool for physicians, possessing unique properties. The main characteristics of laser medical devices are their radiation spectrum, power, and operating modes. Laser radiation is unique in that its effect on biological tissue varies depending on its wavelength and power: localized heating, dissection, vaporization, and coagulation. Using laser radiation, treatment methods have been developed that alter the physical state of biological tissue without requiring dissection or ablation. These technologies are collectively known as "power laser therapy." All of these properties provide advantages of a medical laser [https://eleps.ru/katalog/lazernaya-endourologiya/], or medical scalpel, compared to traditional surgical methods: - Reduced anesthesia requirements. The use of laser radiation during surgery reduces operative and postoperative pain, which reduces anesthesia requirements. This advantage is especially evident in pediatric surgery when compared to electrocoagulators. The use of laser cartilage thermoplasty makes the procedure minimally painful and easily tolerated by patients. - Reduced blood loss and a dry surgical field. Medical lasers have been used to create "bloodless surgery" methods that ensure minimal bleeding and blood loss. Focused laser radiation results in good coagulation in the incision area and a significant reduction in bleeding. All this ensures a dry surgical field during surgery. - Sterility: High temperature in the treatment area or at the end of the light guide (if using contact lenses) ensures wound sterilization with effective thermal dissection of biological tissue. This also helps reduce the risk of infection. - Reduced need for medications: Reduced blood loss and wound sterility during surgery reduce the need for further medication, including antibiotics. This significantly reduces the cost of consumables and medications. - Anti-inflammatory effect: Laser radiation has a strong sanitizing effect and causes the destruction of pathogenic flora. This property of the laser is especially actively used in the treatment of ENT pathologies. Medical laser devices have made it possible to perform simultaneous endoscopic surgeries (performed simultaneously on two or more organs for various diseases). By simultaneously treating all foci of infection in the nasopharynx, the risk of reinfection of the treated areas and further relapses is reduced. - Reduced trauma and decreased risk of postoperative complications. Laser radiation has a strictly localized effect, so its use reduces trauma during surgery. By properly selecting the radiation parameters during laser treatment, tissue swelling in the treated area will be minimal. All this helps minimize postoperative complications. - Reduced treatment time and good cosmetic results. Statistical studies show that the use of medical laser devices for surgical procedures significantly reduces healing time. Good cosmetic results are also achieved due to smooth tissue healing. Hospital stay is reduced, and in many cases, hospitalization can be replaced with outpatient treatment. Despite all the obvious advantages of medical laser devices, they are not intended to replace other tools in all cases. They are a very effective tool, but it should only be used when its use provides the best result compared to other methods.