Laser surgery: the consequences and feedback of patients

As you know, in recent decades, medicine is developing particularly rapidly. Various areas of this vast science are being studied. Achievements are noted in every branch of medicine. This applies not only to the theoretical knowledge base, but also to practical skills. No exception and surgical treatment. Previously, all surgical interventions were performed by open access - that is, it was necessary to make incisions on the organs.

Currently, there is an alternative to this method. Almost every patient can be offered a laser operation. Unlike open surgical interventions, this method is safer and less traumatic. Laser surgery is preferred not only by patients, but also by doctors. This is due to the rapid recovery after the procedure and a lower risk of complications.

Principle of laser action

In the modern world, laser surgery is no longer considered a luxury. Medical equipment for such interventions is available in almost all clinics. The action of the laser is based on its thermal radiation. The device consists of a resonator (several mirror surfaces) and an active system. Due to the effect of laser radiation, tissue destruction occurs. The luminous flux emanating from the instrument is highly directional. Currently, laser radiation is transmitted through endoscopic devices. Therefore, operations on internal organs without a cut on the skin became possible.

There are several types of laser devices. Some of them operate by radiation, others are used for evaporation (vaporization) of tissues. Also, highly specific laser devices have been developed that have the ability to penetrate into the organs layer by layer. The equipment has a different wavelength and the area of light scattering.

In which branches of medicine do you use a laser?

Laser equipment is used in almost all spheres of medicine. The operations are performed on internal organs, vessels, skin and eyes. Using a laser, you can get rid of the inguinal or intervertebral hernia, remove the adenoma of the prostate gland. A major achievement is the effect of radiation in ophthalmic practice. Operation with a laser can restore visual acuity, transplant the cornea and even change the color of the eyes. Also, this equipment is widely used in gynecology.

Thanks to laser coagulation, you can get rid of cervical erosion and other formations (leukoplakia, polyps). Another area of application of this method is cosmetology. With the help of the laser, various papillomas, pigment spots, etc. are removed. In addition, the radiation method is used in general surgery, urology, otolaryngology, etc.

Advantages of laser operations

Operation with a laser in comparison with open surgical manipulation has a number of advantages. First of all, it does not require the cutting of tissues. This avoids not only the scars on the body, but also reduces the risk of postoperative complications. Another advantage of this method is the rapid recovery of the body after the intervention. In some branches of medicine (gynecology, cosmetology) laser operations are performed on an outpatient basis and take only 15-20 minutes.

Thanks to the emergence and spread of this method, the number of patients who refuse treatment has become noticeably smaller. This is due to the fact that laser surgery does not cause fear in patients, in contrast to the usual surgical manipulations. Also this method has allowed to reduce the time of stay of patients in the hospital.

In what cases is laser treatment contraindicated?

Despite the advantages of laser treatment, this method can not be used in all cases. Depending on what kind of operation the patient needs, special contraindications are allocated. There are also conditions in which any laser intervention is prohibited. They are called common contraindications. These include: blood diseases - thrombophilia, the presence of severe pathologies of internal organs (decompensated cardiac, renal failure), degenerative processes of the spine, vessels. For the correction of vision, there are special contraindications. These include: children's age, pregnancy and lactation. Also, surgery should not be performed if visual acuity reduction is less than 1 year.

As for varicose veins, this method is not used in patients who can not walk and wear elastic stockings immediately after the intervention (paralysis, obesity). With the expansion of the subcutaneous vein by more than 1 cm, a strong crimp of the vessels and the presence of a focus of inflammation, the laser is also contraindicated. After the operation, the patient should lead an active lifestyle in the first days, and in the presence of these conditions it is impossible. Endoscopic interventions are not performed in the case of an unspecified diagnosis and a large lesion.

Laser operations in ophthalmic practice

Currently, laser vision correction is widespread. It is widely available all over the world. People who suffer from myopia for a long time can now quickly and painlessly restore their vision. For this it is enough to pass the necessary examination. The method consists in the effect of laser radiation on the cornea. As a result, it changes its shape, and the image focuses on the retina. In addition to vision correction, other laser operations are performed before the eyes. For example, a corneal transplant.

Previously, this procedure related to open surgical interventions, in which it is necessary to make incisions and stitches. Currently, a laser operation is performed, which is much safer. Work is also under way to change the color of the eyes with radiation. Several people have already tried this method and were satisfied with the result.

Operation in front of the laser: reviews of patients and doctors

The use of laser equipment in ophthalmology has allowed the return of normal vision to millions of people. This method, according to doctors, is considered a major breakthrough in medicine. Thanks to laser correction, many people refused to constantly wear glasses and contact lenses. Patients who underwent this method of treatment were satisfied with the result.

In most cases, vision was restored to 100%, as in cases of myopia, and with farsightedness and astigmatism. Repeated visibility impairments are rare. The same applies to complications.

Surgery with a laser on the veins

Operation with a laser on the veins can be carried out by various specialists. This depends on the area in which the vascular lesion is observed. Indications for intervention may be enlarged hemorrhoidal veins, "stars" on the face and body. For any of these conditions, a laser operation is performed. Varicose on the legs is considered the most common reason for going to the doctor from the total number of vascular pathologies. Treatment of the venous system is called endovasal laser coagulation. It consists in the effect of warm radiation on the inner surface of the vessel. In the place where the laser beam is operating, the blood flow stops. As a result, extra veins seem to be "sealed up". Laser surgery is common in vascular surgery and proctology. They are also performed in cosmetology for the removal of varicose veins on the face ("stars" on the nose), small hemangiomas.

Laser operations for hemorrhoids

Operation of a hemorrhoids the laser is spent not so often, as at other pathologies of veins. Nevertheless, if the patient wishes and there are no contraindications, such intervention is not ruled out. Laser equipment for proctologic operations is available only in specialized clinics. Indications for coagulation (cauterization) of hemorrhoidal veins are frequent small bleeding from the anus. Unlike a surgical operation, the laser action is practically painless and does not require a long recovery period.

In hemorrhoidal nodes located outside, the intervention is transdermal, that is, subcutaneously. If the veins are inside the rectum, a special instrument is needed to insert the laser - an anoscope. After the operation, the nutrition of the hemorrhoids stops, and they die. It should be remembered that with massive hemorrhages observed in the last stage of the disease, laser treatment is not shown. In this case, surgery is necessary.

Laser surgery for varicose veins

Lately, surgery on the legs with a laser has often been carried out. Indication for this procedure is varicose veins of the lower extremities. Before the operation, local anesthesia is performed. Then a fiber is introduced into the popliteal region. The affected vein coagulates, after which the blood flow in it is disturbed. Unlike the surgical removal of the vessel, the recovery period takes a few hours. Almost immediately after laser coagulation, the patient puts on compression underwear and can leave the clinic. Wearing stockings is necessary for 1.5-2 months.

Is it possible to remove a hernia with a laser?

Operation of a hernia with a laser is called vaporization. This procedure has been used since the end of the last century. Thanks to "evaporation" you can remove not only inguinal and umbilical hernias, but also intervertebral protrusions. After local anesthesia, the laser is inserted into the cartilaginous tissue through a small puncture. The light beam heats up to 70 degrees, so that the water in the intervertebral disk evaporates, and the hernia itself is destroyed.

After 3-6 months after the operation, patients feel a noticeable improvement. Repeated formation of a hernia is extremely rare, since the intervertebral disc undergoes fibrosis.

Reviews: laser surgery and their advantages

The patients' feedback after the laser treatment is positive. All patients are satisfied not only with the result of treatment, but also with the method itself. The following advantages of laser operations are distinguished:

• Absence of cosmetic defects (scars).
• The speed of the operation.
• Painless.
• Reduction of the postoperative period, rapid recovery.
• The patient can start working almost immediately after laser treatment.
• Many operations are carried out in a clinic.