Lasers in medicine and surgery. Council on Scientific Affairs

Clinical applications have been found for lasers in a number of medical and surgical specialties. New applications in current areas of use and extension of laser technology to other medical and surgical specialties will continue to occur as investigational uses are pursued. Lasers produce medical and surgical effects in target tissues by heating them to the point of coagulation or vaporization, by ionizing molecular tissue, and by inducing photochemical effects through a mediating photosensitizer. Increased ability to transmit certain laser beams via fiber optics further extends areas of clinical application. Laser safety programs are essential to safeguard physician operators, ancillary personnel, and patients. Federal regulation, under two laws, deals with the laser radiation safety of devices and controls to ensure that devices reaching the market are reasonably safe and effective for their intended use.