$Unique_ID{BRK02005}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Use of Lasers in Medicine}
$Subject{surgeries lasers laser surgery scalpels scalpel light amplification
by stimulated emission of radiation argon laser Center for Devices and
Radiological Health American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Food and
Drug Administration FDA}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Use of Lasers in Medicine


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QUESTION:  It would seem from my personal reading that lasers are a great
deal better for surgical procedures that presently used scalpels.  Scalpels
can become dull, or when improperly cleaned can cause infection.  Why doesn't
some government agency make a rule that make the use of lasers mandatory, and
reduce the pain and suffering of those of us who must undergo operations to
save our lives?  It seems to me that a column by you might do a great deal to
help this come about.

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ANSWER:  You never know what is under a rock until you turn it over, and in
this case, I couldn't disagree with you more.  I am sure you have been
studying the problem, but your information is a bit dated, and has brought
about conclusions that just don't fly.  Scalpels no longer are sharpened to
keep them useful, they are thrown away after use, for the day of the
"disposables" is with us.  That also prevents any type of cross infection from
reusing contaminated instruments.  And while lasers can do many extraordinary
things, they are not miraculous "cure-alls" and do have some limitations.
     A laser beam is composed of a special light.  The word is formed from the
initials of words that describe the process that produces this light, "Light
Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation".  A laser device is capable
of concentrating a single wave length of visible light into an extremely
intense, small, focused beam that can produce intense heat.  Different laser
colors are produced by different substances, for example an argon laser is
blue-green, and the availability of different colors permits lasers to be used
for different tasks.
     There is a government agency that is deeply concerned with the use of
lasers, and that is the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, a division
of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  However their perspective is not
to mandate the use of lasers but to be sure that the equipment and procedures
are safe and effective for their intended purposes.  The American Society for
Laser Medicine and Surgery also is active and issues guidelines for the use of
laser surgery.  I think I will allow these organizations to oversee the future
use of lasers in surgery, and keep my recommendations to myself.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.