title: [Surgical use of the laser].
abstract: The suitability of the laser for use in surgery is discussed. The mode of action as well as the advantages and disadvantages of electro-cautery are described together with a discussion about the use of the laser as an alternative. After preliminary remarks about the physical aspects, the effects of laser rays on biological tissue are illustrated and the most important properties of the laser with regard to its use in surgery are pointed out. An outline is given of the present use of the laser in the experimental and clinical areas; the properties required of a cutting instrument in surgery are listed. Finally the influence of the rays on the cutting characteristics of a Nd-high-power-laser is investigated in experiments using a rat liver model. This laser has substantial advantages over the CO2-laser in its practical application. The cutting mechanism and the development of the necrotic areas are discussed, together with a description of the cessation of hemorrhage and wound healing. The results obtained indicate that as soon as technical problems can be solved, the use of a pulsed high power YAG laser as a cutting instrument in surgery is highly promising.
mesh_terms: D004598:Electrosurgery; D013502:General Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers
vernacular_title: Laser in der operativen Medizin