[Laser in surgery--current status and perspectives].

Laser effects on biological tissue depend on wave-length, power-density (W/cm2) and duration of pulsed radiation. Thermal effects may be used for cutting, coagulation and vaporisation. Non-linear effects such as photoablation or photo-disruption are suitable for non-thermal tissue ablation and shock waves can be induced to destroy concrements. Laser is mostly used in clinical surgery for endoscopic treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding and tumors. Laser angioplasty, arthroscopic laser treatment and laser lithotripsy are not yet widely applicable in clinical practice.