Lasers in pediatric surgery.

During the last few years the laser has become a very interesting instrument in pediatric surgery. This is the result of the wide variation in tissue interactions and the possibility of specific applications. The CO2 laser is a highly precise cutting instrument whereas the argon laser has its great advantage in the treatment of superficial vascular anomalies. The most important laser in pediatric surgery is the Nd:YAG laser, on the one hand because its radiation can be transmitted by fibres, on the other because with the relationship between interaction time and power density, and the choice of application, it is possible to change the tissue interaction from precise cutting to specific coagulation and homogeneous coagulation. As a result, indications for lasers in pediatric surgery range from the treatment of superficial haemangiomas to typical endoscopic procedures and the resection of parenchymatous organs and tumours.