[Laser qualities and areas of application, current status and perspectives]

Laser beams are used in a variety of surgical applications and promise to become even more meaning in the next years with the advent of new technology. Depending on the energy density, application time and wavelength of the laser beam, a variety of interactions takes place with tissue. Some of these are now standard procedures for cutting, welding and coagulating. Other interaction are being used experimentally in therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, e.g. stone destruction and angioplasty. Laser induced fluorescence and holography have opened a wide range of spectroscopic analysis. Raman-spectroscopy will allow respiratory gas analysis in a split second. Photoablation holds great promise for athermic cutting, angioplasty and the spectroscopic differentiation of tissue.