Laser Surgery In Gynecology

Written by recognized leaders within the field, this practical text is useful primarily to the clinical gynecologist who performs laser surgery in the lower female genital tract and intra abdominally where applicable. The initial chapters pertain to the basic understanding and applications of laser physics and safety for the clinician. The next section focuses on "how to do it", and the final chapters deal with photodynamic therapy in gynecology, credentialing, and how to establish a laser program. A glossary in the back of the book contains laser terminology as well as scientific notation.

A synopsis of the use of lasers in gynecology is presented in this book; it is supported by more than 10 years of experience and backed up by studies inthe fields of experimental surgery, technical medicine and clinical gynecology. The authors show how laser-assisted preparation hasbroadened the spectrum of operative possibilities in gynecology. Major points of attention are experimental surgery and basic research, details of application with respect to specific indications, and future potential. Furthermore, the clear definition of the possibilities and limitations of laser technology puts an end to the highly stylized view of a patent wonder divorced from general operative standards. Thereis no doubt that users of laser technology stand on the threshold of a promising development and yet, despite the present elegant applications, thefirst steps to maturity are only now being taken.

This volume features a collection of research papers on laser practice in gynaecology. The contributors discuss basic laser physics, laser-tissue interactions, laser safety, laser surgery of the cervix, endoscopic laser operations and the future of laser surgery.

One of the first applications of lasers was for surgery on the retina of the eye. That, and the evident analogy to the old dreams of powerful heat rays, led many to predict that lasers would quickly be used for all kinds of cutting and welding, including surgical applications. It was soon apparent that laser sur gery could be performed in ways that caused little bleeding. Nevertheless, other surgical applications have been slower to arrive. One difficulty has been the enormous range of possibilities provided by the many different kinds of lasers. Infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light beams each interact very differently with human tissues. Light pulses of enor mously great peak powers became available from lasers, but their effects dif fered in surprising ways from those obtained with continuous beams. That provided both opportunities (i.e., treating or removing a very thin surface layer without affecting the underlying tissue) and problems with undesired side effects. Moreover, techniques were needed to deliver a precisely con trolled amount of energy just where it was desired. Lasers also had to be engineered and manufactured with the desired power levels and a high reliability.