Lasers in pediatric surgery.

Lasers, once a laboratory curiosity, have quickly become a viable and valuable surgical instrument. They have been found useful in almost every surgical specialty. This chapter will discuss how laser light is produced and its effects on tissue. The various laser types are discussed, and their clinical implications are reviewed. Most important, we also review the hazards associated with these systems and the ramifications of their use. The perioperative nurse must be familiar with the various protocols used in treating patients with lasers, applications of the lasers, and specific safety requirements.