Lasers in plastic and general surgery

Physicians have worked with basic scientists to develop lasers suitable for surgical applications. Because the use of lasers offers improved coagulation and reduced bleeding, applications in surgery have developed rapidly. Plastic surgery and dermatology have realized important advances with the development of laser surgery. The argon laser is commonly used in plastic surgery; the carbon dioxide laser is useful in treating patients with complications such as infections or clotting abnormalities. The CO2 laser is important in cancer surgery, as an adjuvant to liver surgery, and in pancreatic surgery. Photoradiation is an exciting new area of laser use being developed.