Technical aspects of lasers in urology.

During the course of history a variety of laser principles have been introduced in surgery. Some erroneous developments probably could have been kept out of the market place if not for the magic which accompanies the acronym LASER and with more understanding for the underlying principles governing the process when light meets tissue. The interaction of light with tissue is exemplified on the basis of natural body chromophores when compared with available lasers at different wavelengths and operational modes. Furthermore the meaning of fibre flexibility and durability is elucidated.