Laser surgery procedures in the operational KC-135E aviation environment

The operational aviation and space environments present a potential for surgical trauma to aircrew and passengers. Current wound care techniques for trauma in the aviation and space medicine environment focus on classical surgical management of wounds. Medical lasers used in these environments can provide rapid control of bleeding wounds, reduce aircraft environmental contamination from body fluids and secretions, and foster rapid triage of injured personnel. Self-contained and reusable medical lasers have the potential to reduce the material supply of medical kits in the aviation and space environment. A miniaturized carbon dioxide laser was used to establish protocols and procedures for use on operational military KC-135E aircraft. Laser surgery was performed to demonstrate laser efficacy and safety in flight.