Laser Surgery

Although many laser surgeries can be performed in a doctor's office rather than in a hospital, the person guiding the laser must be at least as thoroughly trained and highly skilled as someone performing the same procedure in a hospital setting.

The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc. urges that:

• All operative areas should be equipped with oxygen and other drugs and equipment required for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Non-physicians performing laser procedures should be properly trained, licensed, and insured
• A qualified and experienced supervising physician should be able to respond to and manage unanticipated events or other emergencies within five minutes of the time they occur.
• Emergency transportation to a hospital or other acutecare facility should be available whenever laser surgery is performed in a non-hospital setting.

Imprecisely aimed lasers can burn or destroy healthy tissue.

Lasers being used to perfom cosmetic surgery. Photograph by Will & Deni McIntyre. National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers, Inc. Reproduced by permission.