[Biophysical considerations of laser surgery and the application in otolaryngology (author's transl)].

In the paper biological mechanisms of laser radiation on tissue are summerized. The specific features of different types of lasers are considered, e.g. wavelength. Focussing problems to rise the power density are described. The advantages and disadvantages of laser surgery are discussed. It is shown that the laser is well suited for an otolaryngological microsurgery. The present applications in otolgaryngology consist of about 25 papers which are evaluated and concentrated. Later surgery of the larynx is of special interest. Many clinical applications have been performed. Further experimental work exists in the region of the oral and nasal cavities, of the face and the neck. Some basic research without clinical application has been performed on the cochlea and the semicircular canals. The advantages of laser surgery are e.g. lack of blood, high precision, good healing of the wound.