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Although various lasers have been used for the past 30
years in just about every aspect of neurosurgical practice, the current
applications in the field of neurosurgery represent years of practical
experience and therefore represent the consensus of the neurosurgical community
as to the currently acceptable and appropriate utilization of lasers in the
field. Microsurgical lasers are used for precision cutting for making incisions
into the brain and spinal cord and producing discrete lesions in the brain and
spinal cord for relief of pain. The carbon dioxide laser and the Nd:YAG are used
for making incisions and the KTP:YAG, argon and other shorter wavelength lasers
are rarely used now by a few Neurosurgeons for these applications. The use of the laser has particularly been beneficial for
very narrow and deep approaches that are oftentimes required to access tumors in
these locations. At a few centers, fiberoptically delivered lasers are being
more frequently used for the vaporization and shrinkage of spinal discs to treat
patients with herniated discs within the upper, mid and lower back through a
minimally invasive surgical approach using the endoscopic guidance. Proper
selection of patients for these procedures is essential and is best determined
by neurosurgeons specializing in spinal disorders.
(Updated October 1, 2007)
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