Lasers in surgery and medicine

Abstract

The first laser was only produced 23 years ago and in medicine and surgery lasers have already turned science fiction into science fact. Developments in laser technology are in progress, also with the development of finer glass fibres able to transmit all wavelengths. Two developments in the research phase are worthy of mention. First, the use of lasers to disobliterate blocked arteries and second, the revascularisation of the heart via channels drilled into the heart muscle by laser allowing blood to flow directly into the heart muscle from the ventricular cavities and so totally bypassing the coronary artery system. Lasers are already well established in medicine and surgery and more dramatic advances can be anticipated in the future.