[Endoscopic laser therapy in gastroenterology--physical-technical principles and applications]

Since the mid-seventies the application of laser in gastroenterology for the treatment of haemorrhages and tumours has stood the test. At present the neodym-YAG-laser is the most important endoscopically applicable laser. The sources of laser radiation, the biophysical effects of laser and their fields of application, the technical and methodical and security-technical aspects as well as own divice-technical solutions and the indications in the application of the endoscopic laser therapy are described. In 12 out of 15 patients with a villous adenoma of the rectum the treatment was successful. In 9 patients with a high-degree stenosing rectosigmoid carcinoma (diameter 0.5 cm) the passage could be restored (diameter after treatment 1.3 cm). Complications did not appear. The laser therapy is effective, poor in risks, but not cheap.