LASER SURGERY
A laser – which stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation – is a source of light that can be used for a variety of applications in surgery. Laser light differs from from that which you encounter in everyday life. Naturally occurring light from the Sun, or artificial light from a light bulb, emits a range of wavelengths of light, travelling in many different directions. Laser light, however, is polarised, focusing a beam onto one precise location.
In medicine, the laser wavelength is selected based on the aim of surgery. Some lasers, such as erbium lasers, are ideal for cutting body tissue, but aren’t as useful for sealing torn tissue. This method, called coagulation, uses heat
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