Laser
For the past fifteen years laser surgery has been progressively spread. Even though it is a rather controversial method in terms of sanitary profitability, since initial investment is rather expensive and required highly qualified professionals. Surgical laser allows higher precision and cleanliness in the incisions because it allows the surgeon to make very superficial cuts – up to 50 times less deep than the ones done with an electric scalpel –, causing minimum damage to the surrounding tissues, which allows a less bloody surgery and less painful postoperative periods.
There are several types of laser surgery:
CO2 laser (cutting-edge technology) is transmitted by mirrors and cannot go through fluids. Its use is superficial and it cuts in a very precise, clean way, but it has rather low coagulation ability.
The Neodymium/YAG lasercoagulates well but the cut is rather poor. It goes deep into the tissue and tends to burn it. It goes through the fluids, being transmitted by optic fiber.
Argon laser is used in the same cases as the neodymium/YAG laser but only when acting on very thin organic structures since the damage of the surrounding tissue of the operated area is lower.
And last, we find the pulsed dye laser, which works through impulses and a dye that makes it red. It is specifically used to treat vascular tumors, angiomas, and skin marks.
Laser coagulation surgery is most commonly used to treat internal hemorrhoids, and involves stopping their blood flow by burning the veins that transport the blood.
Controversy on the use of laser surgery
Even though the benefits of laser surgery against the ones obtained with other methods are not so defined in proctology these days, some specialists question their contribution and denounce misleading. If you want to obtain more information on this matter, click on the link below
