Medical Laser

All the information you need about Surgical Laser Technology

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Nasal Cavity Surgical Laser and Other ENT Lasers

The human body is a very complicated organism consisting of intricate systems made up of organs and body parts. Some of these body systems include the digestive system, excretory system, and the nervous system. Because of the intricacies of the human body, medical specialists are often subdivided into various branches of specializations, and one of these specializations focuses on the ENT or the ears, nose and throat parts of the human body. These body parts are medically lumped together because they are intricately connected.

The ear as a sensory organ, for example, is intricately related to the human eye and throat. Similarly, the nose functions together with the sense of taste, because it partially makes possible the sense of taste. In case, for example, that your sense of smell is malfunctioning, more often, you would also find it hard to taste food. The throat, on the other hand, is interwoven with your sense of breathing and smelling, and if your throat is blocked or diseased, your sense of smell and eating will definitely be compromised and affected. There are many diseases that afflict the ears, nose, and throat, and some of these diseases require surgeries.

There are various types of lasers that are used in ENT. The first type of ENT laser is CO2 laser. It can produce continuous coherent laser at around 10,600 nm. At this range, the laser is readily absorbed by soft tissues and water. This type of laser is very precise and can exactly ablate or remove layers of cells. The second type of laser used in ENT surgery is that of Argon laser. This laser is produced using argon gas, and works at the range of 488 to 514 nm. This laser is capable of photocoagulation. Lastly, there is the Nd; YAG laser that can produce infrared light at 1,064 nm. It is very much applicable when operating on vascular tissues.

Oral cavity surgical laser includes that of CO2 laser that can be used for surgery on Larynx and oral cavity. Larynx surgical laser, like CO2 laser, is usually used with microlaryngoscopy to treat juvenile laryngeal papillomas, vocal nodules, laryngeal web, arytenoidectomy, and T1 carcinoma. It is also used to debulk large inoperable tumors. It is likewise used to operate on superficial lesions, tonsillectomy, and palatal surgeries. The CO2 laser is also very effective in treating inverted papilloma, nasal polyps, haemangioma, and nasal tumors. In the treatment of the throat and trachea, it is often used in surgeries to treat respiratory papillomatosis, granulation tissue, tracheal stenosis, and bronchial adenoma. It is also ideal for use in ear surgeries such as those of myringotomy, stapedectomy, and acoustic neuroma.

Laser surgery, as a treatment, has its own concomitant side-effects. First, it can cause ocular injuries if it is not done carefully. It can also cause cutaneous injuries such as in the case of skin burns. Moreover, it can inadvertently damage outlying organs during the operation. Lastly, it can cause anesthetic complications. The use of laser, therefore, in ENT surgeries is strictly limited for those who are experts in its use because of the possible side-effects concomitant with its use.

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CO2 laser and Middle Ear Surgeries

CO2 laser belonged to the earlier types of lasers that was first developed in 1964 by Kumar Patel. Although the CO2 laser belongs to the earliest forms of lasers, it is still one of the most useful lasers in use today. The various applications of CO2 lasers include industrial as well as medical applications. In the medical field, carbon dioxide lasers have become very useful in various surgical procedures. The reason for this is that the human body is made up mostly of water, and CO2 lasers are readily absorbable by water. Hence, CO2 lasers are ideal for bodily surgeries. Some medical procedures that make use of CO2 lasers include those of skin resurfacing treatments and other skin laser treatments. It is also ideal for soft tissue surgeries. In many cases, this type of laser usually replaces the scalpel in most soft tissue surgeries. Moreover, it can also be used even in tissues or areas wherein surgeons usually don’t use scalpel. These areas include those body parts that could be easily damaged by mechanical trauma. At present, CO2 lasers still have the highest possible power among continuous wave lasers. CO2 Lasers for Middle Ear Surgeries One of the body parts wherein the use of CO2 laser is very effective is that of the middle ear. The middle ear is naturally set deep within the ear, right behind the eardrum. Hence, any surgery on this part of the ear is indeed a delicate surgical procedure, and requires the repositioning of the eardrum to gain headway into the middle ear. There are three tiny bones in the middle ear, namely, the malleus, the incus, and the stapes. Collectively, this set of bones are called the “ossicles.” The structure of the Middle Ear is so perfect that it can convert soundwaves into electrical impulses that are sent to the brain. If you would look closely at the intricacy of the middle ear, you would surely be amazed at how it is designed. And if someone did design the middle ear, that designer is definitely a genius. However, there are instances wherein a child is born with damaged middle ear; moreover, there are times when the middle ear or a part of the middle ear is damaged. There are instances, for example, wherein the stapes’ footplate is not mobile, and this condition usually leads to conductive hearing loss. The stapes’ fixation is usually due to otosclerosis or the accumulation of minerals on the temporal bone. On the other hand, it could also be due to the stapes’ congenital malformation. In both cases, medical surgeons usually remove the stapes bone and replace it with a certain type of micro prosthesis. This procedure is called “stapedectomy.” This condition could also be remedied by inserting a piston-like prosthesis on an artificially-drilled hole on the footplate of the stapes. This artificial drilling of holes and insertion of piston-like prosthesis is called “stapedotomy.” Middle ear surgery like the abovementioned two surgical operations could surely enhance and improve the hearing capacity of a person. Lastly, these two middle ear surgeries require the use of highly-specialized lasers like those of CO2 lasers.

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CO2 Laser and the Surgical Procedures for Middle Ear Maladies

Researchers and manufacturers of medical laser equipment have surely done a great job in expanding the applications and usage of laser in the medical field. Since the invention of laser in the late 1950s by Theodore H. Maiman, laser equipment have slowly gained a very solid footing in most medical and surgical operations and procedures. Gone were the days when the scalpel held a very lofty and eminent position among the medical tools in the surgical rooms. Nowadays, the laser has taken the place of the old scalpel as the most important medical tool. At present, the number of surgical and medical procedures that necessitate the use of laser equipment is growing in number, and one of the newest procedures that makes use of laser is that of the middle ear surgery. Middle ear surgery is a very sensitive surgery that requires precision to be very successful. The middle ear, as a part of the delicate organ of the human ear, contains sensitive tissues that need to be operated upon with precision to bring back its functionality.

The primary medical procedure that is usually performed to remedy the defects of the middle ear is that of the stapedotomy. Stapedotomy is performed to modify the structures of the middle ear. In this surgical procedure, the surgeon usually makes use of a micro-drill or a laser to drill in tiny holes on the footplate of the stapes. This procedure usually starts with an injection of anesthetic into the ear canal's skin. The reason for this is that the anesthetic would allow the surgeon to lift the eardrum and the skin of the canal so that the bones of the stapes could be exposed for surgical operation without the patient feeling any pain. The skin then is cut so that it could be lifted. Then, the incus is afterwards disconnected from that of the stapes. Once the stapes has been detached, the laser is again used to bore holes on the footplate of the stapes. Afterwards, an implant is immediately attached and secured into the incus bone. Lastly, the canal skin and the eardrum are then placed back to their former positions. Via the use of laser, the percentage of success in remedying the malady of the middle ear has greatly increased, and the timespan of the procedure has been greatly reduced. The type of laser that is usually used for middle ear surgery is that of CO2 laser.

Another surgical procedure on the middle ear is that of the Tympanoplasty. This procedure is aimed at reconstructing the structures of the eardrum and the bones of the middle ear. There are various types of tympanoplasty, one of which involves the repair of the highly specialized tympanic membrane. This surgical procedure is also called myringoplasty. The other type of tympanoplasty involves the repair of the tympanic membrane andthat of the middle ear's ossicles. There are also other types of tympanoplasty such as those of epytympanun and the other one which is designed to remedy the so-called absence of the crura, which is usually located in the stapes’ movable footplate. Lastly, there is another type of tympanoplasty that involves the reconfiguration of the footplate that appears to be usually fixed.

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Medical Laser Repair and Maintenance

"Anything that you often use should be regularly maintained," says some experts in the maintenance of machines. In a way, they are right for any machine that is constantly used will surely undergo wear and tear, and if you don't want to constantly buy a brand new machine, you have to maintain the existing machines that you have by performing regular maintenance on these machine sto extend their life spans. Of course, the usual tendency that we have with regards to the machines that we are always using is to use the machines until we can they are functional. Not many among us have developed the habit of maintaining machines on their optimal functionality. Hence, when the machines bog down, we scratch our heads and spent more in the repairs of machines. In some cases, we are obliged to buy new machines, and buying new machines is certainly more costly than engaging in the maintenance of our existing machines.

The Need to Maintain Laser Equipment

The need to maintain does not only apply to mechanical gadgets that are used constantly in mechanical industries. The need to maintain also extends to laser equipment that are constantly in use inside surgical rooms and within surgical procedures. The value of maintaining laser equipment comes to the fore, especially, in times of major surgical procedures that make use of laser equipment. In these surgical procedures, the laser equipment have to be always in their optimal conditions and functionalities. Hospitals and clinics that use laser equipment can’t surely afford to have surgical operations in which the laser equipment often bog down or malfunction. In all surgical operations, the laser equipment have to be in their optimal functionality, for it would surely be embarrassing and a bad publicity for a clinic or a hospital if one of their laser equipment malfunctions during the performance of a surgical procedure.

Most hospitals usually maintain a medical laser technician that sees to it that all the laser equipment are in perfect functionality. Sometimes this medical technician is always on a standby in case his/her service is needed. Moreover, most manufacturers of laser equipment provide technical assistance to their client hospitals and clinics to help their clients maintain their laser equipment in optimal functionality. They also often provide medical equipment repair technician to assist medical establishments that patronize their products in fixing malfunctioning laser equipment.

Laser equipment are not like the common equipment that are usually used in other industries. Moreover, it is not easy to fix laser equipment, for the repair of laser equipment requires expertise and scientific knowledge of the functionality of laser. In fact, there are only a few number of laser manufactures around the world. These laser manufacturers usually capture the bulk of buyers who use lasers around the world. Since the manufacturing of laser is highly specialized and requires an in-depth knowledge of the functionality of laser and the best practice in the medical world, the manufacturing of laser generally requires stringent precision and perfection. Similarly, laser technicians also require stringent training on the intricacies of laser equipment, and for this reason, not all technicians can engage in the repair and maintenance of laser equipment. Lastly, only those with in-depth knowledge of the equipment and the functionalities of lasers could definitely handle the repair and maintenance of laser equipment.

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Kidney Stones Disease and Flexible Laser Ureteroscopy and other Treatments

If you haven't experienced yet the most painful sensations that you would ever experience in life, you better take care of your kidney and do not allow it to develop stones. The reason for this is that medical experts consider the renal colic or the pain associated with the development of stone obstruction along the urinary tract as the most agonizing and excruciating pain that you would ever experience in life. Concomitant with this agonizing pain is the urgent sensation to void your urine. Moreover, you will also feel nauseated, restless, and vomiting while experiencing this spasmodic pain.

The Risk Factors behind the Onset of Kidney Stones

There are myriads of reasons and factors that may engender the development of kidney stones. One risk factor is that of using medications that usually lead to stone development. Another factor is hyperthyroidism which often has a bearing on the functionality of the kidney. The lack of fluid and inability to drink lots of water can also play a great role in the development of kidney stones. Moreover, the eating habit of a person can also play a crucial role in the eventual development of kidney stones.

The development of kidney stones is one of the most prevalent maladies around the world, and for this reason, kidney stones disease should never be underestimated. The reason for this is that around 15 thousand people around the world die annually of this disease. Hence, if you think that you have kidney stones, you should never hesitate to have yourself checked-up so that you can receive immediate medication and treatment for your condition.

The Diagnosis of the Disease

The rough estimate of people with kidney stones is usually in millions. A complete laboratory examination is often necessary to rule out the possibility of kidney stones. Often it is also necessary to have your urine examined to find out if there are symptoms of kidney stones development along your urinary tract or if there are infections inside your urinary tract. A holistic blood count and examination are also necessary to see if you are suffering from infection. Moreover, it is necessary to undergo a renal function test to find out if you are suffering from abnormal calcium amount in your body.  

Treatment for Kidney Stones

A variety of treatments are often performed on those patients with kidney stones disease to immediately remedy the malady. If the kidney stones, for example, could be expulsed out of the body without the performance of surgery, then expulsion is the primary procedure recommended by physicians via the use of calcium channel blocker and other agents. If the stones are huge enough to be expulsed from the body, the stones are sometimes fragmented via the use of ultrasonic pulses. The use of ultrasonic pulses can only be employed if the stones are proximate to the region of the renal-pelvic.Stone dusting is the usual term used for this procedure. Other treatments include the use of flexible laser ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy laser or PCNL laser. This procedure is indeed effective in removing huge stones that have lodged themselves into the pelvic region.

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The Importance of Urology Laser Treatment for Benign ‎Prostate Hyperplasia

The wonder of the human body is clearly seen if you are going to analyze the functionalities of even the minutest human glands. The way the different glands and organs of the human body have been configured will definite strike enough awe and wonder on you if you would meticulously study these different configurations. Any distention or disorientation of any organ of the human body will surely have an adverse effect on the wellbeing of a person.

If you look, for example, at the appendix which when distended becomes troublesome, you would readily understand how critical the placement of each organ and tissue within the human body. Similarly, if the prostate glands become enlarged, the prostate glands would affect and restrain the functions of the urethra, and speaking of prostate enlargement, it is one of the most common urological diseases that afflict the male sex organ.

This enlargement of the prostate glands is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia if it is not cancerous. It is characterized by an inordinate increase in prostate's organic tissues. This increase in size of the prostatic tissues is due to the increase in the number of cells of the prostate. This increase in the number of cells definitely causes the enlargement of the tissues of the prostate glands.

What are the Treatments for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia?

Since BPH is a benign enlargement of the prostate glands, it is not cancerous. The only reason why BPH has to be treated is due to the fact that the enlargement of the prostate glands greatly affects the functionality of the urethra. There are parts of urethra that are almost enveloped by the prostate glands. Hence, once the prostate enlarges, it impinges on the urethra which eventually constricts the flow of the urine out of the bladder. This causes a lot of anomalies in the natural flow of the urine and may have adverse effects on the person’s. As the passage through which the urine flows out of the body is constricted, the muscles of the bladder had to exert extra effort to void the bladder of urine. If this continuous exertion of the muscles of the bladder goes on, the muscles begin to develop the habit of contracting even if there is still less urine in the bladder.

There are many symptoms relative to an enlarged prostate, and these symptoms include slow flow of urine, weak flow of urine, frequent urination, incontinence, pain during urination, and many more. One concomitant side-effect of being unable to empty the bladder is that of the development of urinary tract infections which may lead to other accompanying urological diseases. Hence, there is a need to remedy BPH via the performance of various treatments including that of BPH laser treatment.

The procedure involved in laser urology surgery is usually called Prostate Enucleation or the removal of parts or the whole of prostate. There are other treatments of BPH that include surgeries such as those of open prostactectomy, Photoselective vaporization of the prostate glands, transurethral needle ablation, and transurethral incision. Prostate surgeries are necessary and should be immediately done to prevent further aggravation of the disease due to the development of secondary urological diseases and concomitant urological maladies.

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Middle Ear Surgery and Critical Role Played by the Middle ‎Ear in the Hearing Process

The human ear is one of the great wonders of the human body for it shows how creative the creator of the human body is. It also shows how the evolution of the human body is quite a complex evolution that has culminated into the development of one of the finest and highly efficient organs of the human body called the "ear." You may not appreciate the great wonders that are happening every time you hear something on your ear, because you may not be truly and totally cognizant of the great magic that occurs inside your ear. But if you would carefully consider how the sound waves that enter your ear are transformed into electrical signals by your inner ear, you would surely be taken aback by how wonderful this transformation is. You would only appreciate such wonder when you suddenly lose the functionality of your ear and become deaf. Oblivious to sounds, you would no longer hear the music and the voices of your loved ones, and you would surely long for the time that your ears, both left and right, were still functional.

Importance of the Human Ear to a Holistic Existence

Humans have the tendency to take for granted something until that something is gone. In the same manner, many people seldom appreciate the magical hearing process of their body until these people lose partially or totally their sense of hearing.

Some people were born deaf and once they gain the use of their hearing organ via surgery, they become profusely appreciative and thankful of the gift of hearing. Likewise, there are people who are hard of hearing due to congenital defects. These people too manifest great thankfulness after having their congenital defects corrected via surgery.

Stapedotomy is one of the surgical procedures that aim to remedy the hearing problem of some people. This surgical procedure is performed on the middle ear to make the stapes’ footplate more flexible. Tympanoplasty is another surgical procedure designed to reconstruct the eardrum and the small bones located in the middle ear. Both these two middle ear surgeries often make use of CO2 lasers.  

There are many diseases that may affect the middle ear and some of these diseases include Cholesteatoma, eosinophilic otitis media, Otitis Media and many more, and some of these diseases may cause partial or total hearing loss.

How is Tympanoplasty Performed?

Tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure that is designed to reconstruct the eardrum or what we commonly call the tympanic membrane, and the middle ear's small bones. There are different types of tympanoplasty. The first type of tympanoplasty only involves the repair of the tympanic membrane. This type is usually synonymous with myringoplasty. The second type involves a tympanic membrane's repair plus a slight repair of the ossicles of the middle ear. The third type involves removing the epytympanum and the ossicles due to some defects in the malleus and the incus. The fourth type involves surgical operations to remedy the absence of crura in the movable footplate of the stapes. The last type, on the other hand, include reconfiguring the fixed footplate of the stapes.  

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Laser Urology Surgery and the Different Properties of ‎Medical Laser ‎

The human body, just like anything that is constantly moving and being used, is subject to the process of wear and tear. Each organ of the body that is constantly used can become diseased along the way. Moreover, in the absence of proper diet and exercise, any part of the human body may become afflicted with various diseases.

Some parts of the human body that are more prone to the onset of various diseases include the male reproductive organs and the urinary tract which are constantly exposed to various waste materials from the body. Hence, a branch of medicine called “Urology” is specifically established to address and focus on the medical and surgical diseases that afflict the male reproductive organ and the urinary tract of both male and female.

The various organs under focus in urology include the adrenal glands, kidneys, urinary bladder, ureters, urethra, and the different parts of the male reproductive organ such as the vas deferens, testes, seminal vesicles, penis, prostate, and epididymis. The reason behind the inclusion of the reproductive system into the domain of urology stems from the fact that the urinary tract and the reproductive system are closely related and linked with each other.  

Issues Which Are Related to Urology

There are many issues and diseases that are treated in the study of Urology, and some of these issues include benign hyperplasia, bladder cancer, bladder stones, cystitis, the development of reproductive organs and urinary tract, interstitial cystitis, vasectomy, prostate cancer, kidney stones, retrograde ureter, urolithiasis, testicular cancer, prostatitis, and many more. Each of these issues engenders various medical treatments, procedures, and care to address each of these urological issues.  

Urology also has some sub-disciplines that focus more on the specific areas of urology. Some of these sub-disciplines include Endourology, Urologic oncology, Laparoscopy, Neurology, Pediatric urology, Andrology, Female urology, and Reconstructive urology.  

Laser and Urology

At the onset of the invention of the first laser, its creator did not intend to use it in medicine. Soon after the invention of the first laser, the idea of using laser in medicine became a viable idea. After twenty years of testing the viability of laser in medical treatments, laser became an integral part of most surgical procedures in the 1990s, and one area that really benefited from the development of highly improved laser equipment was that of urology. Urology laser is now widely used in many urological procedures.

The use of laser in laser urology surgery is highly recommended by experts because of the following characteristics of laser. First, laser has spatial and temporal coherence, meaning it can give off a coherent light with high level of temporal coherence. For this reason, laser has gradually taken the place of the scalpel which was once the primary tool in most urological surgeries. Second, laser can deliver a very precise cut. It has also an ablative characteristic. Moreover, laser can cauterize broken capillaries and thus can prevent too much bleeding during surgical operations. Other effects of laser include photochemical effect, photothermal effect, and photomechanical effect. Laser therapy and technology are still considered to be in their incipient stage. As new laser equipment are manufactured and designed, new progress and innovation in the medical laser technology can still be expected in the near future.

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Middle Ear Surgery and the Diseases that Usually Affect the ‎Middle Ear  ‎

The beauty of the human body is often clearly seen when you study the intricate functions of the human ear and figure out how the acoustic energy gathered by the outer ear is transformed into compressed fluid waves inside the inner ear. This wonderful process may be quite difficult to understand if you are not a sound or acoustic engineer; yet, this amazing process often doesn’t fail to enthrall and bewilder even the most astute and ingenious human mind. Of course, we usually take for granted this marvelous process because either we could not totally grasp the essence of this amazing process, or we tend to play down the magical element in this occurrence that happens every second. But once you, for example, lose the functionality of your ear, or if you have, for example, inherited a congenital middle ear defect that hampers your hearing capability, you would surely greatly appreciate the wonder of this process if ever you get healed from your congenital malady.    

Diseases that May Affect the Middle Ear

There are several diseases and maladies that may afflict the middle ear, and some of these diseases include those of the Acoustic Neuroma, Otitis Media, Cholesteatoma, bullous myringitis, eosinophilic otitis media, granular myringitis, and chronic suppurative otitis media. Otitis media is usually symptomatic of short-lived infection that may start as a viral infection and later on may lead to bacterial infection. This disease causes pain and hearing loss and is sometimes accompanied by fever. Discharges from the ear may also be present. Chronic suppurative otitis media, on the other hand, shows symptoms of inflammation that affects the middle ear’s mucosa.

Eosinophilic otitis media is a disease of the middle ear that is usually associated with the disease of nasal allergy and asthma that sometimes degenerate into a sensori-neural loss of hearing. Cholesteatom or Cholesteatoma, on the other hand, also rightly termed as vestibular schwannoma, is considered to be a benign tumor of the cells that form the myelin of the vestibolocochlear nerve. The term acoustic neuroma is a misnomer in the case of this disease, although this condition is often called “acoustic neuroma.” This disease has, as its primary symptoms, the unilateral loss of hearing which is difficult to explain and the occurrence of tinnitus. Its symptoms also include vestibular symptoms. The usual treatment for this disease includes surgery and radiation therapy which may lead to a partial or complete loss of hearing of the ear that is affected.

Understanding Tympanoplasty and Middle Ear Surgery      

Therapies and treatments for middle ear diseases and problems have greatly improved in the recent years. New and innovative surgical tools, like laser equipment for middle ear surgery, have been added into the arsenal of ear surgeons or otolaryngologists. Additionally, surgical operations, for example, like Tympanoplasty, have become available, and these surgical operations are often designed to reconstruct and reconfigure the eardrum and the existing small bones of the ear, specifically, those of the middle ear. Tympanoplasty are classified into various types, the most common of which is the myringoplasty. Tympanoplasty is performed either via an incision behind the ear or via an incision in the ear. A graft is then taken out of the ear to reconstruct the structure of the tympanic membrane.

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The Increasing Popularity of HoLEP as a Treatment ‎Technique for Prostate Enlargement

Evolution might have tinkered and tampered on the human body to make it more adaptable to the changing conditions of Mother Earth, for if you would look at the intricacies of the human body, you would readily see that each part seems to be perfectly configured in such a way that each part of the human body appears to be perfectly situated in the right place and at the right time. Hence, any dislocation, aberration, or hypertrophy in the size, location, and features of any tissue or organ of the body will definitely cause concomitant sensations and symptoms that would be felt by the person who owns the body. This is very obvious in some of the major diseases experienced by humanity such as in the case of malignant cancerous cells, hernia, or even the distension or enlargement of the prostate glands. And speaking of the enlargement of prostate, this disease which is commonly called benign prostatic hyperplasia is one of the most common diseases that afflicts the male human species.

Understanding Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is usually considered a non-cancerous disease of the prostate. BPH involves the increase in the quantity of organic tissues within the prostate glands that usually leads to an inordinate increase in the number of cells within that organ. This inordinate increase in the number of cells within the prostate glands usually leads to the enlargement of the prostate glands. BPH is not an increase in the sizes of the cells, otherwise, the disease will be called benign prostatic hypertrophy, hypertrophy—being the increase in the sizes of the cells. As said earlier, it is an increase in the number of cells—the cells being still of normal sizes.

The enlargement of the prostate will not be dangerous had the prostate not been located around the urethra or the urinary tract. Since the prostate partly encompasses the urethra, any enlargement of the prostate will have an adverse effect on the size and functionality of the urethra, and may eventually lead to the obstruction in the flow of urine. Once the obstruction of the urinary tract becomes symptomatic, then the problem begins for the person, for with a highly obstructed urinary tract, infections of the urethra and difficulty in voiding may ensue. Hence, often there is a need to remedy this situation.

The Available Therapies for BPH

The initial treatment for BPH includes the use of alpha blockers to relax the tense smooth muscles along of the bladder and the prostate. The use likewise of 5a-Reductase inhibitors can help stave off the enlargement of the prostate. Self-catheterization can also be of great help. However, in extreme cases of BPH, an invasive surgery such as that of Prostate Enucleation is usually performed to remove parts of the prostate or the whole of prostate.

There are many other surgical techniques employed to remedy the enlargement of the prostate, and some of these techniques include open prostatectomy, transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP), Transurethral resection of the Prostate (TURP), Photo-selective vaporization of the prostate (PVP), Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT), Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) which is proven to be less effective, and Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). HoLEP is increasingly becoming the treatment of choice of most patients and medical surgeons nowadays.  

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Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Laser and Other Treatments ‎for Kidney Stone Disease

One of the most painful sensations that you may ever experience in your lifetime is the pain called “renal colic” or the pain caused by the obstruction of the urinary tract by a stone. This painful episode is usually accompanied and followed by the sensations of urgency to urinate, sweating, hematuria, restlessness, vomiting, and even nausea. This medical condition is known as “urolithiasis” or kidney stones disease, and it occurs when a solid material or stone grows and blocks the urinary tract. Kidney stones can grow up to 5 millimeters, and with this size, it can easily cause blockage along the urinary tract.

There are many risks factors that may lead to the development of kidney stones, and some of these risks factors include the use of some medications, hyperthyroidisms, lack of fluid, gout, and high level of calcium in the urine. Obesity can also play a huge role in the development of kidney stones, as well as the eating habit of a person.

There are millions of people around the world who are affected by kidney stones disease, and around fifteen thousand deaths around the world are associated with kidney stones disease. The diagnosis of kidney stones requires laboratory examinations to confirm the existence of the stones. It also requires microscopic examination of a sample urine to find out if there are red blood cells, leukocytes, bacteria, and crystals in the urine of the patient. Then, the urine culture is examined to find if there are organisms that may be infecting the urinary tract. Complete blood count is likewise done to see if there are bacteria that are symptomatic of infections. Renal function test is also performed to figure out if there is an abnormal level of calcium in the blood.

Kidney stones usually are classified according to their chemical compositions and their locations. They may be classified as calcium oxalate, uric acid, calcium phosphate, struvite, cysteine, and xanthine. The most common type of kidney stones is that of calcium oxalate which usually constitutes around 80% of most kidney stones cases.

Treatment of Kidney Stones Disease

There are many treatments available for kidney stones disease. One treatment is that of expulsion therapy wherein the stones are expelled using some agents such as calcium channel blockers and alpha adrenergic blockers. Another treatment is that of lithotripsy which makes use of high intensity ultrasonic pulses that cause the fragmentation of the stones. This is usually done when the stones are located close to the renal pelvis. Surgery can also be performed to remove stones of 5 millimeter or more in length. The use of percutaneous nephrolithotomy laser or flexible laser ureteroscopy is likewise employed in kidney stones surgical treatment. The PCNL laser treatment is minimally invasive, and involves creating a very small wound at the lower back or pelvic region of the patient. This procedure is ideal for removing 2-centimeter-sized stones that are near the pelvic region. Another form of treatment is that of ureteroscopic surgery using fiberoptic ureteroscopes.

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to kidney stones disease, and if you know that you are prone to develop kidney stones, you should try to avoid the risk factors that may make you vulnerable to the disease. Lastly, you should aspire for a healthy and holistic lifestyle so that you can enjoy your life to the fullest.

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The Intricacy of Middle Ear Surgery and the Use of Laser for this Surgery

The medical uses of lasers have definitely expanded in the recent years, thanks to the hard works and researches done by both medical as well as manufacturers of medical lasers. It would be impossible to come up with functional and workable medical lasers without the necessary collaborations between medical experts, engineers who design, and companies that manufacture the different medical laser equipment. Just like any other equipment that is produced for different industries, a medical laser starts with a prototype laser that is then tested. If proven to be effective and efficient for medical usage, only then the actual manufacturing of the laser equipment would begin. But the conceptual and manufacturing process of medical lasers definitely undergo several stages before an actual laser is used on the surgical table.

Since medical lasers are usually used in performing sensitive surgical operations that require utmost precision, it is therefore imperative for manufacturers to produce laser equipment that can function precisely and efficiently during surgery. If you would look at how delicate the human body is, you would readily know how sensitive and how crucial the role played by medical lasers in the success of surgical operations. The eye, for example, is one organ of the human body on which lasers are used during eye treatments for diseases like glaucoma. Hence, it is important that laser equipment should function with utmost precision when used in eye surgery.

Another therapy that requires utmost precision is that of middle ear therapy or stapedotomy. Stapedotomy is one of the procedures performed to improve hearing. One malady that usually affects hearing occurs when the stapes footplate is not flexible, but fixed in its position. The stapes footplate normally should be mobile. In case the stapes footplate is fixed, there is a need to remove the stapes bone and replace the bone with micro prosthesis. This process is called stapedectomy.

Further Understanding Stapedotomy  

Stapedotomy is a modified stapes operation which most surgeons consider to be safe and can reduce the complications after surgery. Using laser or a microdrill, the surgeon usually drills a tiny hole on the footplate. Afterwards, the surgeon places a prosthesis that allows this area to absorb movement from tympanic membrane. The process of stapedotomy starts with injecting anesthetic into the skin of the ear canal. The purpose of this anesthetic is to enable the surgeon to reach the bone of the stapes by first lifting the eardrum and the canal skin to expose the bone of the stapes. The skin is first cut or incise before it can be lifted. The incus afterwards is disconnected from the stapes. A laser is then utilized to detach the stapes superstructure while deliberately preserving the footplate of the stapes. Then once again, the laser is utilized to drill a specific hole on the footplate of the stapes. Lastly, an implant is then attached to the hole and secured to the incus bone. Then, the eardrum and canal skin are returned to their former position. Lastly, this surgical procedure is usually complemented by the utilization of tissue graft seal. The laser stapedotomy is already one of the favorite procedures performed by surgeons to remedy middle ear malady and it is already a well-established medical procedure of ear surgery.  

For more information about Middle ear surgery, visit: http://www.lumenis.com/Solutions/Surgical/CO2-Products/OtoLase.

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Innovative Laser for Surgery and Therapy

One invention that really revolutionizes many industries is the invention of laser. Einstein was the first one who conceived and postulated the idea of laser; however, it was only in the 1953 when the first equipment to amplify microwave was invented. It was not until the 1960's when the first functional laser was operated. Soon after, subsequent researches further improved laser technology, and at present, laser technology has already been used in various important industries around the world.

One of the major industries that really benefited much from the feverish development of laser technology is the medical industry. Nowadays, many surgical operations are performed and accomplished using different types of medical lasers. The branches of medical surgery that employ the use of medical lasers include ophthalmology, dermatology, angioplasty, cancer diagnosis and treatment, lithotripsy, mammography, medical imaging, optical coherence tomography, plastic surgery, dentistry, and other surgical procedures. The applications and usage of lasers in medical procedures are still continuously expanding with better and more improved laser equipment at hand. Surgical Laser technology likewise is experiencing dynamic innovations that put lasers as major components of many medical surgical procedures.

Understanding Laser Surgery

Surgeries that utilize laser technology are generally termed "laser surgeries." In the past, the main surgical instrument that occupied a prominent position in most surgical procedures was the scalpel. Hence, it was often idiomatically said that a person will "go under the knife" to refer to any surgery that made use of scalpel—a term for medical knife. Nowadays, however, the scalpel is slowly relegated to oblivion with the use of medical lasers that are capable of making precise and consistent incision during surgical procedures. The term scalpel, however, is still associated and retained when referring to the laser instrument as “laser scalpel.”

There are different types of medical lasers in use today such as those of diode lasers, excimer lasers, CO2 lasers, fiber lasers, dye lasers, semiconductor diode lasers, gas lasers, and free electron lasers. The effectiveness of lasers in surgery is usually attributed to the four effects that laser brings into the surgical table. First, it has a photochemical effect or photodynamic therapy effect. During surgery, photosentisizer is administered to the target area that is irradiated by laser light. This effect brings about the death of the cells of tumor. It also has a photoablative effect that can vaporize from the surface some materials inside the target cells. Another effect of laser is called photothermal effect which is contributory to the control of bleeding during surgery. Lastly, it has a photomechanical effect, especially, in the procedures of lithotripsy.

Laser therapy also makes use of photo-bio-modulation in some therapies because lasers can displace excess fluid and can enhance deep penetration of lasers. The light that usually penetrate the body tissues can be readily absorbed by substances such as hemoglobin, melanin, oxy-hemoglobin, and water. The energy that is absorbed by these substances usually dissipate as additional heat within the tissue that usually drives cell metabolism, cell inflammatory response, growth, extra-cellular deposition, and cell proliferation. Lastly, outside of the cells, the circulation of blood that brings about important substances to the cells are intensified while enhancing the removal of waste materials from the area.

For more information about Laser for surgery, visit: http://www.lumenis.com/Surgical.

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The Slightly Invasive Procedure of HoLEP

The never-ending quest for excellence in the field of medicine has brought about a measurable advancement in laser technology. With the unprecedented development of laser technology, medical surgeons can now fulfill the promise of a bloodless surgery, and therefore, they can now provide a cleaner surgical procedure to their patients. The introduction of Holmium doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet or Ho:YAG laser, for example, has revolutionized surgical procedures in the field of urology. Moreover, surgical Ho:YAG laser gives surgeons an alternative way of treating blocked urinary outflow due to enlarged prostate. This surgical procedure called holmium laser enucleation of the prostate or HoLEP is a slightly invasive procedure that has been developed to remove any tissue that is blocking the passage of urine. With the use of Ho:YAG laser, surgeons can now engage in precise removal of any tissue that is blocking the urinary tract.

The Prostate Enucleation Procedure

 HoLEP does not require incision on the skin surface to reach the blockage unlike in the traditional TURP or Transurethral Resection of the prostate. TURP procedure is a major surgical procedure that requires incision on the prostate. HoLEP, on the other hand, is considered a minor surgery—a minimally invasive procedure—wherein the patient can be discharged from the hospital within two days after the procedure. Moreover, with HoLEP, the patient can expect less bleeding, because of the ablative effect of laser.

 The HoLEP procedure involves the passing of a flexible fiber optic cord with miniature camera and laser nozzle via the urethra. This procedure allows the identification of the obstruction within the urinary canal.  Ho:YAG laser is then introduced to enucleate the tissue that blocks the urine passage. Thereafter, a special suction instrument is inserted to morcellate the discarded soft tissue for laboratory analysis.

 HoLEP requires the patient to be anesthetized before the procedure. After the procedure, a catheter is inserted to the urethra and is left for about 24 hours to facilitate the passage of urine while the urethral walls heal. A sterilized saline solution is injected into the bladder through the catheter to prevent any blood from clotting. The catheter is then removed before the patient is discharged from the hospital.

 Despite the fact that HoLEP is a minimally invasive procedure, there will still be an appearance of blood in the urine which is a normal post-procedural effect. Post-HoLEP patients are advised to drink a lot of water while waiting for the urethral walls to heal and for urine to clear up. The complete healing may take a period of about two weeks. Blood clots may also appear even within 10 to 14 days after the HoLEP procedure.  

 The Ho:YAG laser’s near infrared wavelength is highly absorbable by water, and thus, best suited for soft tissue ablation. Ho:YAG laser combines the characteristics of both Nd:YAG and carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers. The Ho:YAG laser’s 0.4mm penetration depth is essential to the enucleation procedure as it minimizes the risk of damaging healthy cells beyond the tissue that is needed to be removed. Moreover, the ablation done by Ho:YAG laser is very tight that it only measures between 0.5 to 1.0 millimeter. The smallness and shallowness of the area exposed to Ho:YAG laser ensures a very limited zone of coagulation and collateral damage.  

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The Great Use of Laser for Surgery

Since the introduction of laser as a surgical tool, surgeons and other medical practitioners are relentlessly investigating the other possible uses of laser. Laser or Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation has become an important tool in several medical procedures especially in surgery and ophthalmology. The laser’s capability to precisely cut a narrow incision through biological tissue has made the laser a popular replacement for the traditional scalpel. The laser is likewise recognized as the best tool for soft tissue surgery due to its ability to ablate tissues with high water content without damaging adjacent healthy cells.

There are several types of lasers that are utilized for medical application. The most commonly used lasers for medical application are:

Solid-state lasers that include Ruby laser, Nd:YAG, Er:YAG, Ho:YAG, and Chromium-doped chrysoberyl or alexandrite lasers.

Gas lasers that include Argon and Excimer lasers.

Dye laser

However, only a handful of laser types are suited for surgical procedures. At present, carbon dioxide (CO2) laser remains the widely used surgical laser. The other laser types used as surgical lasers are the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers and the alexandrite lasers. Lately, holmium laser (Ho:YAG) was introduced to remove tissue blocking the urine flow in a procedure called HoLEP or holmium laser enucleation of the prostate.

Surgical Laser technology

Advancement in laser and computer technology has been beneficial to the medical field. It made the surgical laser equipment more compact and flexible. The addition of touch screen consoles with user-friendly iconology gives the surgeon an easy access to the laser’s functions and modes of operation while doing a procedure. Surgical laser equipment are supplied with articulated arm. This arm supports the fiber optic cable where the laser passes through to the nozzle of the laser scalpel. The articulated arm is counterbalanced and carries the weight of the cable as well the scalpel and its aiming device. This arm gives the surgeon more precision over the area of incision and treatment. Likewise, other surgical laser equipment are equipped with a flexible cord. This type of mechanism gives the surgeon better freedom of movement when conducting a procedure on hard-to-reach parts of the body. Some laser equipment are supplied with both facilities.

Surgical CO2 laser machines are designed to withstand the heat during operation with the integration of a closed-loop liquid cooling system. Surgical laser equipment can produce laser in either pulsed or continuous mode depending on the ongoing procedure. Surgical laser, at present, provides an alternative surgical means for surgeons to undertake any surgical procedure, and laser also helps surgeons to provide patient with a less painful, yet economical means, of having a surgery.

Laser surgery is widely considered as a bloodless surgery. This notion can be attributed to the fact that lasers don’t cut but rather vaporizes or ablates the tissue. The incision done with a laser scalpel is very thin compared to the traditional scalpel, and the incision is about 3 micrometer wide and leaves the adjacent cells unharmed. Laser surgery also minimizes the risk of infection as the laser cauterizes the wound. The nerves and blood vessels are sealed off by the ablation, reducing the pain and the risk of bleeding and swelling, and consequently, shortening the patient’s recovery period.

For more information about Laser for surgery

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HoLEP and the Advantages Concomitant with Its Use

Since the human body is an organism, it definitely needs to maintain a certain level of equilibrium or homeostasis. Any imbalance in the flow of energy and substances within the human body may lead to maladies of different types. One disease that usually afflicts the male human species is that of prostate enlargement or prostatic hyperplasia. Prostatic hyperplasia, if not immediately attended and treated, may lead to many complications.

Prostate is an important exocrine gland that is very vital to the reproductive organ of the male species because it secretes semi-alkaline fluid that enables the semen to be motile. There are other glands of the male reproductive system that secrete fluid, but it is the fluid secreted by the prostate that really enables semen to be very motile. The prostate gland is both tubular and alveolar in shape.

If the prostate is healthy, it usually has the shape and size of a walnut. However, in case the prostate is unhealthy, it often manifests enlargement in its size. Any enlargement in the size of the prostate can readily affect the urethra, because the prostate is located just behind the urethra, and it partially encompasses the urethra; hence, any inflammation of the prostate will surely have so much effect on the free flow of urine along the urethra.  

Types of Prostatitis

Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate, and there are basically four types of prostate inflammations. The first two forms of prostatitis are chronic bacterial prostatitis and acute prostatitis. These two forms are a bit uncommon, and are usually treated with antibiotics. The third kind of prostatitis is called benign prostatic hyperplasia. This type of prostatitis usually occurs among older men, and the person with this type of prostatitis often finds it difficult to urinate, because once the prostate is enlarged, it often impinges on the urethra, and constricts this tract. The last type of prostatitis is that of prostate cancer.

Prostate Enucleation

Since an enlarged prostate usually impinges on the urethra and often causes difficulty of urinating, often there is a need to remove the prostate partially or totally via transurethral resection and HoLEP. Prostate Enucleation is often necessary to relieve the person of symptoms of prostatitis and to eventually cure the person of the disease. HoLEP is the most performed procedure in removing parts or the whole of prostate. The previously popular procedure was that of TURP; however, it has been slowly superseded by HoLEP.

There are plenty of advantages concomitant with HoLEP as contrasted with TURP. First, it doesn't cause much bleeding than that of TURP. It can also be used to remove any size of prostatic tissue. Moreover, there is also less chance of the recurrence of the disease after this type of surgery.  

Why is HoLEP necessary?

HoLEP is necessary because it is a medical procedure designed to relieve the pressure on the urethra. It is performed to enucleate the excessive size of the prostate. The excessive size of prostate, as said earlier, impinges on the urethra and constricts it. If the pressure on the urethra is not relieved, it will surely cause severe inconvenience and pain to the patient, and may even cause various complications that   may even lead to death.

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Understanding Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Laser

One malady that usually afflicts the kidney is that of kidney stone disease or urolithiasis. It is estimated that 15 percent of the people around the world are afflicted with this disease at a certain point of their existence. It is therefore a very common malady of the kidney that often needs medical treatment. When the kidney stone doesn’t cause any pain to a person or any symptom, the kidney stone is usually left undiagnosed and untreated. However, when there are already symptoms indicative of kidney stone disease, only then would a person with such symptoms usually consults a physician to seek remedy for such malady.

Drinking much water can surely help prevent the onset of kidney stone disease. Fluid can help the body egest the minerals that usually form as kidney stones. However, once the kidney stones have already grown around 0.2 millimeters, it can readily cause blockage along the urinary tract. As sediments accumulate along the blockage, it will further throttle the urinary tract, producing the usual symptoms associated with kidney stone disease. In case the kidney stones can no longer be flushed out by drinking much water, the person afflicted with kidney stone disease should immediately consult his/her physician and seek treatment. One of the best treatments for urolithiasis is that of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) via the use of PCNL Laser treatment.

What is Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy?

The percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a medical procedure designed to remove stones from the kidney or bladder. This is usually performed if the size of the stone is already big enough to cause painful symptoms in a person afflicted with this disease. Moreover, this procedure is generally done with the patient under general anesthesia. The kidney stones have to be located first by making an incision of around one centimeter at the loin. Flexible laser ureteroscopy is sometimes primarily done to examine the upper urinary tract to check for stone buildups. Afterwards, the PCN needle is inserted, navigating directly to the location of the stones. Then, the surgeon passes a guide wire through the inserted needle leading to the pelvis. Once the guide wire is set, the needle is then withdrawn, leaving the guide wire inside. The surgeon then inserts a working sheath along with the dilators. Through the working sheath, the surgeon insert the nephroscope to remove the small stones. In cases wherein the stones are big enough, the surgeon then has to first crush the stones. This procedure is called “lithotripsy.” Afterwards, the crushed stones are removed.  

Lithotripsy, as said earlier, is the procedure wherein the hardened kidney stones are crushed to pieces in order for these stones to be flushed out. There are many ways to accomplish lithotripsy. Some procedures make use of ultrasound to crush hardened kidney stones. Some other lithotripsy procedures make use of lasers in order to crush the kidney stones.

The kind of laser that is usually used in lithotripsy is that of Holmium:YAG laser. Researches have shown that this type of laser has high efficiency rating and effectiveness. Moreover, there is a growing number of hospitals and clinics that are making use of this type of laser to accomplish lithotripsy in a kidney patient.

For more information about Percutaneous nephrolithotomy Laser, visit: http://www.lumenis.com/Solutions/Surgical/Procedures/Urology/Urinary-Stones.