Laser Surgery
| Definition: |
The use of a laser either to vaporize surface lesions or to make bloodless cuts in tissue. It does not include the coagulation of tissue by laser (LASER COAGULATION). |
| Notes: |
do not confuse with LASER COAGULATION; coord IM with Cat A or Cat C term with /surg (IM); laser surg of cataract = LASER SURGERY (IM) + CATARACT EXTRACTION (IM) but note LASER COAGULATION also used in ophthalmol surg; laser microsurgery coord with MICROSU |
| Also Called: |
Laser Scalpel,Vaporization, Laser |
| Previously Indexed: |
Lasers/therapeutic use (1966-1986) |
Laser Surgery Categories.
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Keratectomy, Photorefractive, Excimer Laser - A type of refractive surgery of the cornea to correct myopia and astigmatism, using an excimer laser. An excimer laser is a laser containing a noble gas, such as helium or neon, which is based on a transition between an excited state in which a metastable bond exists between two gas atoms and a rapidly dissociating ground state. The extremely precise laser light reshapes the surface of the cornea without making an incision. This procedure can reduce much higher degrees of myopia than radial keratotomy (KERATOTOMY, RADIAL), although it generally takes longer for vision to clear. (From In Focus 1994;1(2):3 and McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed, p675) |
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Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ - A surgical procedure to correct MYOPIA. A microkeratome is used to make an incision of the corneal epithelium (EPITHELIUM, CORNEAL) creating a flap which is displaced. The underlying, exposed inner layer of the CORNEA is then reshaped with an excimer laser and the corneal epithelial flap is returned to its original position. |
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Laser Coagulation - The coagulation of tissues using lasers. These lasers produce light in the visible green wavelength that is selectively absorbed by hemoglobin, and thus it is possible to seal bleeding blood vessels. |
Laser Surgery Definitions and Terms
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