title: Holmium laser surgery.
abstract: This relatively new form of laser energy, with its powerful and precise ability to ablate the dense tissues of the musculoskeletal system as well as its transmissibility in fiberoptic cables and a fluid medium, makes this an ideal tool for use in orthopedic surgery. Its importance as a new orthopedic modality may well lie in its unique ability to gain access to small articular compartments while providing superior homeostatic control, thereby decreasing postoperative morbidity. While not yet in widespread use, its popularity is rapidly spreading and research into a variety of new applications is growing steadily.
authors.affiliation: Sports Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Medicine, Portola Valley, CA 94025.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Dillingham
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Fanton
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006695:Holmium; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D006695:Holmium