Laser applications in otolaryngology.

The perception of the laser has changed as lasers have moved from the laboratory into everyday conventional surgery. The physician's perception of the laser has expanded from the simple light scalpel to a tool with a variety of applications. This issue of Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America is designed to explain how lasers are used today in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery and to indicate new directions for the laser tomorrow.