COMMON LASERS USED IN A SURGICAL ENVIRONMENT

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser: Used for cutting and vaporizing cancerous tissues during surgical procedures like tumor resection and ablation.
• Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) Laser: Utilized for coagulation and tumor destruction in various types of cancer.

Laser Surgery in Gynecology:

• CO2 Laser: Used for procedures like laparoscopy, colposcopy, and treatment of cervical dysplasia.
• Nd:YAG Laser: Used for endometrial ablation, treatment of vaginal atrophy, and vaginal rejuvenation.

Holmium Laser: Used for procedures like lithotripsy (breaking kidney stones), treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and management of urinary strictures.

Thulium Laser:

1. Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Thulium laser is utilized in surgeries such as Thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (TmLEP) or Thulium laser vapoenucleation of the prostate (ThuVEP) for the treatment of BPH. These procedures involve vaporization or enucleation of the prostate tissue to alleviate urinary symptoms caused by BPH.
2. Management of Urinary Strictures: Thulium laser is also used in the treatment of urethral strictures, a condition characterized by the narrowing of the urethra, which can obstruct urinary flow. Thulium laser urethrotomy involves using the laser to incise and widen the narrowed urethral segment.
3. Endoscopic Surgery: Thulium laser can be employed in various endoscopic surgical procedures, including endoscopic stone surgery, endoscopic management of prostate conditions, and minimally invasive surgeries of the urinary tract.

The mediums used in laser surgery primarily involve solid-state lasers (like Nd:YAG and Holmium lasers, Thulium), gas lasers (such as CO2 lasers), and semiconductor lasers (like diode lasers). The choice of laser type and medium depends on factors such as the target tissue, desired surgical outcome, and the expertise of the surgeon.