Carbon dioxide laser
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Carbon dioxide laser
A carbon dioxide laser uses carbon dioxide gas as the active substance in a highly focused beam of light to cut or destroy tissue during surgery. Laser light cleans (sterilizes) and seals as it cuts tissue, which reduces bleeding and pain and shortens the healing time.
Lasers are used for many different types of surgery, including dental surgery, eye surgery, surgery on the female reproductive organs, hemorrhoid surgery, and plastic surgery.
The word "laser" is an acronym of "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation."
Credits
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Barbara S. Apgar, MD, MS - Family Medicine, Women's Health |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Last Updated | January 12, 2007 |
| Last updated: | January 12, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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