Laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. It has been successfully used for various otolaryngological surgeries.
Principle behind laser: When an atom is excited by an external source (i.e. electricity, heat or light energy) the electrons within the atom get stimulated and move away from the proton. These electrons on removal of external stimuli will lose energy and return back to their basal state. This released energy is known as spontaneous emission of radiation. These untimed, erratic, multifrequency radiations are reflected by mirrors to make it unidirectional, concentrated and unifrequency radiation. The type of energy released by laser system depends on the lacing medium (i.e. carbondioxide, argon etc.).
Depending on the energy levels released, lasers can be classified into:
Low energy laser beams: These are generally used for coagulation, prevention of scars etc.
High energy laser beams: Are used for cutting, vaporisation etc.
The laser beam lies generally in the invisible spectrum. A red light is added to this beam to make it visible to the surgeon.
Advantages of laser:
1. The tissues are instantly vaporised with great speed with very little conduction of heat to the adjacent tissues.
2. It coagulates small blood vessels making the field bloodless
3. It blocks lymphatics hence prevents malignant dissemination
4. It causes very little tissue damage
5. Since it seals nerve endings there is no neuralgia
Disadvantages:
1. Expensive
2. Cannot be used for taking biopsy
3. Hazardous
Commonly used lasers:
1. Carbodioxide laser - Used in oral cavity lesions, Nose, larynx and ear.
2. Nd-Yag laser - Oral cavity, Ear
3. Argon laser - Stapedectomy, vascular lesions
4. KTP laser - Ear
Safety measures:
Use of lasers is highly hazardous.
1. Wear protective eye glasses
2. Patients eyes are to be protected
3. Instruments used should be of dull finish
4. Anesthetic gases used should be nonflammable
5. Endotracheal tube should be wrapped in a foil
6. Cuff of the ET tube should be protected with saline soaked cottons pledgets
Principle behind laser: When an atom is excited by an external source (i.e. electricity, heat or light energy) the electrons within the atom get stimulated and move away from the proton. These electrons on removal of external stimuli will lose energy and return back to their basal state. This released energy is known as spontaneous emission of radiation. These untimed, erratic, multifrequency radiations are reflected by mirrors to make it unidirectional, concentrated and unifrequency radiation. The type of energy released by laser system depends on the lacing medium (i.e. carbondioxide, argon etc.).
Depending on the energy levels released, lasers can be classified into:
Low energy laser beams: These are generally used for coagulation, prevention of scars etc.
High energy laser beams: Are used for cutting, vaporisation etc.
The laser beam lies generally in the invisible spectrum. A red light is added to this beam to make it visible to the surgeon.
Advantages of laser:
1. The tissues are instantly vaporised with great speed with very little conduction of heat to the adjacent tissues.
2. It coagulates small blood vessels making the field bloodless
3. It blocks lymphatics hence prevents malignant dissemination
4. It causes very little tissue damage
5. Since it seals nerve endings there is no neuralgia
Disadvantages:
1. Expensive
2. Cannot be used for taking biopsy
3. Hazardous
Commonly used lasers:
1. Carbodioxide laser - Used in oral cavity lesions, Nose, larynx and ear.
2. Nd-Yag laser - Oral cavity, Ear
3. Argon laser - Stapedectomy, vascular lesions
4. KTP laser - Ear
Safety measures:
Use of lasers is highly hazardous.
1. Wear protective eye glasses
2. Patients eyes are to be protected
3. Instruments used should be of dull finish
4. Anesthetic gases used should be nonflammable
5. Endotracheal tube should be wrapped in a foil
6. Cuff of the ET tube should be protected with saline soaked cottons pledgets
Last modified: Monday, 28 January 2008, 01:04 PM