Fibreoptic laser laparoscopy.

Many gynaecologist are now doing more aggressive operative laparoscopic surgery. We feel that procedures which in the past required open laparotomy to be successfully performed, can now be done with fibreoptic laser energy. This chapter reviews our experiences with argon, KTP and Nd-YAG lasers for advanced laparoscopic surgery. We feel that these fibreoptic lasers allow us to obtain good results with less risk, shortened operating room time and with reduced difficulty during surgery. In this time of concern for cost containment in medicine, it seems reasonable for interested physicians to reduce costs without cutting corners or compromising patient care. Careful, intelligent, selective use of fibreoptic lasers as well as non-laser laparoscopic techniques in gynaecology may help in cost containment by allowing compatible results while avoiding major surgery with its concomitant expense, increased risks, morbidity and discomfort for patients. All forward-thinking gynaecologists should investigate the potential for fibreoptic laparoscopic laser surgery in their practices.