A laser surgeon is a surgeon who uses a laser to perform procedures. Surgeons who work with lasers can pursue certification from professional organizations that promote high standards in the field of laser surgery. Lasers can be used in a wide range of medical procedures on both humans and animals. However, laser surgery is not a medical specialty; rather, it is a surgical technique that relies heavily on a one-of-a-kind tool and is used in a wide range of medical specialties.
The development of lasers suitable for medical applications has benefited a variety of medical fields greatly. Lasers are used in dermatology for skin resurfacing, laser hair removal, scar removal, unwanted birthmark removal, and tattoo removal. Medical lasers have also benefited ophthalmology, with lasers being used in eye procedures such as LASIK to correct vision problems. A laser surgeon can also use lasers to treat a variety of medical conditions therapeutically.
In surgical procedures, laser surgeons can use lasers instead of the traditional scalpel. Laser surgery causes less blood loss and trauma around the wound site, which speeds up healing and reduces postoperative pain and discomfort for patients. Depending on the type of surgery they perform, their personal preferences, and where they trained, many surgeons offer laser surgery as part of their services, and some use lasers exclusively in their work.
A patient who wants to have a surgical procedure done with a laser should talk to their doctor about it. Although laser surgery is not appropriate for all patients or medical conditions, a doctor can refer a patient to a laser surgeon if it is. Patients should look for a laser surgeon who has received certification from a professional organization, has extensive experience in laser surgery, and has a good track record with surgical procedures when choosing a laser surgeon.
To become a laser surgeon, a doctor must first choose a medical specialty of interest, which can range from ENT surgery to veterinary surgery, and then complete his or her medical education, ideally in a facility that offers training to surgeons interested in working with lasers so that the doctor can get hands-on experience with lasers as soon as possible. After completing medical school, the doctor can pursue additional laser training and certification, learning about laser safety, laser surgery applications, and how to educate patients about the use of lasers in surgical procedures.