title: Lasers in stapes surgery: a review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lasers in stapes surgery are used to divide the anterior and posterior crus of the stapes, divide the stapedius tendon and perforate the footplate. The ideal laser should not penetrate deeply into the perilymph (thereby increasing its temperature). It should be conducted through optical fibres, allowing easy manipulation, and should have good water absorption, equating to high bone ablation efficiency.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review discusses the various different lasers used in stapes surgery with regard to their properties and suitability for this type of surgery. In particular, the laser parameters used are discussed to facilitate their clinical use.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department,Russell Hall Hospital,Dudley,UK.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: ENT Department,Russell Hall Hospital,Dudley,UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mitchell-Innes
authors.affiliation: ENT Department,Russell Hall Hospital,Dudley,UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jindal
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010710:Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013201:Stapes Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D013932:Thulium; D014025:Titanium / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D010710:Phosphates; C064806:potassium titanylphosphate; D013932:Thulium; D014025:Titanium
keywords: Lasers; Stapes; Stapes Surgery