Education and credentialing of the gynecologic laser surgeon

Gynecologic laser surgery involves the use and understanding of a number of different wavelengths (lasers) and their delivery systems. The educated laser surgeon understands the pros and cons of all the practical wavelengths, their tissue reactions, and their safety features. The laser surgeon may use a colposcope, hysteroscope, laparoscope, or laser handpiece in surgery. Few gynecologists have acquired the necessary expertise to perform laser surgery during residency training. For this reason, attendance at courses that include hands-on laboratory experience has been mandatory. Hospitals, not course directors, credential surgeons to perform laser operations in their operating rooms. The credentialing committee of the hospital must decide which surgeons have been properly trained for laser surgery. Objective criteria have been offered in this chapter in the effort to make the task easier and more fair. As the number of laser surgeons grows, the need for training courses may decrease, because if laser surgery is learned during the residency years, the demand for postgraduate training will decrease. On the other hand, since surgical laser evolution continues, the training center will continue to offer a valuable educational experience.