Common Laser Surgery Performed in India

Different Types of Lasers Used in Surgeries

There are various types of lasers categorized according to the type of gain medium, mode of operation, pulse duration, and wavelength. The most common types of lasers currently used in surgical procedures, irrespective of their categorization, are explained below. Each of these types of lasers has unique characteristics and applications. 

• CO2 Laser: This type of laser is commonly used for skin resurfacing and to treat various skin conditions. It emits a high-energy beam of light absorbed by water in the skin, which causes the tissue to vaporize and promotes new collagen growth.
• Argon Laser: This laser emits blue-green light and is often used in eye surgeries, particularly for treating certain types of glaucoma and retinal diseases.
• Ruby Laser: This type of laser emits red light and is often used in tattoo removal, hair removal, and other cosmetic procedures. It is also sometimes used for treating pigmented lesions and vascular lesions.
• Nd: YAG Laser: This laser emits infrared light and is often used for various procedures, including hair removal, treatment of vascular lesions, and laser-assisted cataract surgery.
• Pulsed- Dye Laser: It emits a concentrated beam of light at a specific wavelength, which is absorbed by the targeted tissue. PDL is used to treat spider veins, varicose veins, hemangiomas, etc. 
• Diode Laser: This laser emits a concentrated beam of light that is absorbed by the pigment in hair follicles, making it an effective tool for hair removal.
• Q Switch Laser: This laser produces high-energy pulses of light that are absorbed by tattoo ink and other pigments in the skin, making it an effective tool for tattoo removal.
• Excimer Laser: This laser emits ultraviolet light and is often used in refractive surgery to reshape the cornea and correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
• Femtosecond Laser: This laser emits extremely short pulses of light and is often used in cataract surgery to create precise incisions and break up the cloudy lens for removal. It is also used in LASIK and other refractive surgeries to create corneal flaps.

Laser Surgery Performed At Pristyn Care

At Pristyn Care, we leverage the modern, minimally invasive laser technology to treat a variety of conditions and provide the expected results to the patients. Different types of laser surgeries performed by our doctors include- 

• Piles treatment 
• Fissure treatment
• Fistula treatment 
• Vaginal tightening 
• Circumcision 
• Lithotripsy 
• Vein ablation
• Liposuction 
• Refractive surgery 
• Cataract surgery 

These types of laser surgeries are further explained in detail. 

Piles Laser Treatment

Laser treatment for piles is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a CO2 laser to shrink the swollen and inflamed tissues. This treatment is also known as laser hemorrhoidoplasty or laser hemorrhoidectomy. During the procedure, a small probe is inserted into the anal canal, and the laser energy is directed towards the piles. The laser causes the piles to shrink and eventually fall off. Laser treatment for piles has several advantages over traditional surgical methods. It is minimally invasive, meaning there is less pain, bleeding, and scarring. The recovery time is also much shorter, and patients can usually return to their normal activities within a few days.

However, laser treatment for piles is not suitable for all patients. It is generally recommended for patients with grade 1 or grade 2 piles, which are small and not prolapsed. Patients with larger or prolapsed piles may require a more invasive procedure, such as a traditional hemorrhoidectomy.

Laser Fissure Treatment

Laser fissure treatment involves using a CO2 laser to treat small tears in the lining of the anus. This treatment is also known as laser sphincterotomy or laser anal dilatation. During the procedure, a small probe is inserted into the anal canal, and the laser energy is directed towards the fissure. The laser causes the tissue around the fissure to relax, which allows better blood flow and healing to occur. Similar to laser piles surgery, it causes minimal pain, bleeding, and scarring. The recovery is also quick, and the patients return to their normal activities within a few days. 

This treatment method is suitable for patients who have small and uncomplicated fissures. If the condition is more complex, the doctor will recommend a traditional sphincterectomy.

Laser Anal Fistula Surgery

Laser anal fistula surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that leverages laser energy to treat simple and superficial anal fistulas. An anal fistula is a small tunnel that develops between the skin around the anus and the anal canal. It is usually caused by an infection in the anal gland. During the procedure, a small probe is inserted into the fistula tract, and the laser energy is directed toward the tissue. The CO2 laser causes the tissue to vaporize, which creates a channel for the fistula to drain. 

It has several advantages over traditional techniques, including minimal pain, bleeding, and scarring. Patients with more complex or deep fistulas will require a more invasive approach to treatment, such as a fistulotomy or fistulectomy. 

Laser Vaginal Tightening

Laser vaginal tightening, also known as laser vaginal rejuvenation or laser vaginal resurfacing, is a procedure that uses laser energy to tighten the vaginal canal. The procedure is designed to treat vaginal laxity, which can be caused by aging, childbirth, or hormonal changes. During the procedure, a small probe is inserted into the vagina, and the laser energy is directed toward the tissue. The laser causes the tissue to contract and tighten, which results in a firmer and more toned vaginal canal. 

It is a minimally invasive procedure that promotes collagen production in the vaginal area to address dryness, urinary incontinence, and regain firmness. A CO2 laser or radiofrequency laser (RF) may be used to provide the desired results to the patients.

Laser Circumcision Surgery

In most cases, laser circumcision surgery is the preferred choice for patients and doctors as it is a minimally invasive procedure. It uses laser energy to remove the foreskin of the penis. The procedure is performed to treat conditions such as phimosis (a tight foreskin that cannot be retracted), balanitis, paraphimosis, foreskin infection, or to remove the foreskin for personal or cultural reasons.

During the procedure, a small probe is used to remove the foreskin using laser energy. The laser promotes scar tissue formation, which results in less bleeding, swelling, and scarring compared to traditional surgical methods. Mostly, the CO2 laser is used for the procedure. 

Laser Lithotripsy

Laser lithotripsy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat kidney stones or ureter stones. The procedure uses laser energy from a Holmium YAG laser or pulsed-dye laser to break up the stones into smaller fragments, which can then be passed out of the body through the urine. During the procedure, a small fiber is inserted into the urethra and passed up to the location of the stone using a cystoscope or ureteroscope. The laser energy is then delivered to the stone, causing it to break up into smaller fragments. 

It causes minimal pain, bleeding, scarring, and the chances of other side effects are also minimal. However, laser lithotripsy is not suitable for all patients. It is generally recommended for patients with smaller stones or stones located in the ureter or kidney. Patients with larger or more complex stones may require a more invasive procedure such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy or open surgery.

Endovenous Laser Ablation Therapy (EVLT)

EVLT is performed to treat varicose veins and spider veins effectively. It involves using a catheter, diode laser, and ultrasound to locate the malfunctioning, swollen, and inflamed veins and ablate them precisely. The laser probe emits a focused, pulsating beam of light that converts into heat energy and closes/destroys the enlarged veins. 

This technique is used to treat veins that are still untwisted and straight. Though it is a new approach, it has a long-term success rate, usually higher than 95%. However, in complex cases, traditional vein ligation and stripping techniques may be more effective than laser treatment.

Laser Liposuction

Laser liposuction, also known as laser-assisted liposuction, is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that uses Nd: YAG laser technology to remove unwanted fat from specific areas of the body. The procedure involves inserting a thin tube, called a cannula, through a small incision in the skin, which is then attached to a laser fiber. The laser energy is used to liquefy the fat cells, making them easier to remove through suction. Additionally, the laser energy can help tighten the skin in the treated area, leading to a smoother, more toned appearance. 

The application of laser liposuction is vast, as the same technique can be used for lipoma removal, male breast reduction surgery, female breast reduction, double chin removal, and other treatments as well.

Laser Eye Surgery or Refractive Surgery

Laser eye surgery, also known as refractive surgery, is a procedure that uses the excimer and/or femtosecond laser to reshape the cornea of the eye to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The goal of the surgery is to improve visual acuity and reduce the need for corrective eyewear such as glasses or contact lenses.

The most common types of laser eye surgery are LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) and PRK (photorefractive keratectomy). LASIK involves creating a thin flap in the cornea, which is lifted to expose the underlying tissue. The laser then reshapes the tissue to correct the vision problem before the flap is replaced and allowed to heal. PRK, on the other hand, involves removing the outer layer of the cornea before the laser is applied to the underlying tissue. 

Laser Cataract Surgery

Laser cataract surgery is a procedure used to remove cataracts, which is a clouding of the natural eye lens. During the procedure, a small incision is made in the eye, and a laser (mostly femtosecond laser) is used to break up the cloudy lens into smaller pieces. These pieces are then removed from the eye, and an artificial lens is inserted to replace the natural lens. 

The use of a laser during cataract surgery can offer several advantages over traditional cataract surgery techniques. For example, the laser can create more precise incisions and can break up the lens more efficiently, reducing the amount of time needed for the procedure. Being a minimally invasive technique, it also reduces the risks associated with cataract removal, such as infection, bleeding, swelling, and damage to the surrounding eye structure.