Laser Surgery

What is laser surgery?

Laser surgery is a special type of surgery involving the use of light beams instead of traditional instruments, such as scalpels, for surgical procedures. 

Specific wavelengths of laser energy are successfully utilized in a variety of surgical procedures to shrink or remove excess tissue, and much more.

Lasers or “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation” were first developed in 1960 and have continued to advance and improve.

Lasers effectively use concentrated beams of light to generate precise and intense heat.

What are the different types of laser surgery?

During different types of surgical procedures, lasers can be used to:

• Vaporize prostate tissue to help men urinate better (Greenlight laser)
• Break up stones that are in the urinary tract (Holmium laser)
• Vaporize Lesions on the genital tract (CO2 laser)

The Arizona urology providers use only the most advanced laser technology, such as the Greenlight® laser system for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). 

The Greenlight laser therapy vaporizes prostatic tissue that’s blocking the outlet of your bladder. The procedure is performed under anesthesia, and your surgeon carefully places a telescope into your urethra up to the level of your prostate.

Your surgeon guides the laser fiber through the scope and quickly and gently vaporizes the excess prostate tissue with the laser energy.

Other types of laser treatments are available that heat the prostate tissue, but don’t vaporize or remove it. Your Arizona surgeon can help you decide the best type of surgical procedure for your condition. 

With some laser surgeries, there’s no incision necessary. For example, to remove a kidney stone, once you’re asleep, your surgeon simply inserts a small lighted instrument called a ureteroscope into your urethra and bladder to access your ureter and kidney.

Your surgeon transmits specific laser energy on seeing the stone to break up your kidney stone. Your surgeon removes some pieces through the urethra with a small basket, and much smaller fragmented pieces can be passed later during urination.

With a prostate laser surgery, your surgeon usually inserts a scope through the tip of your penis into your urethra. Your prostate surrounds your urethra. Your surgeon passes the laser through the scope and delivers the laser energy to shrink or remove excess tissue.

What are the benefits of laser surgery?

Laser surgery offers numerous benefits, such as:

• Minimal scarring
• Less downtime
• Better surgical outcome
• Enhanced surgical accuracy and precision

Learn more about how this innovative laser technology works, and call Arizona Urology today.