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Council on Scientific Affairs

JAMA. 1986;256(7):900-907.

Abstract
Clinical applications have been found for lasers in a number of medical and surgical specialties. New applications in current areas of use and extension of laser technology to other medical and surgical specialties will continue to occur as investigational uses are pursued. Lasers produce medical and surgical effects in target tissues by heating them to the point of coagulation or vaporization, by ionizing molecular tissue, and by inducing photochemical effects through a mediating photosensitizer. Increased ability to transmit certain laser beams via fiber optics further extends areas of clinical application. Laser safety programs are essential to safeguard physician operators, ancillary personnel, and patients. Federal regulation, under two laws, deals with (1) the laser radiation safety of devices and (2) controls to ensure that devices reaching the market are reasonably safe and effective for their intended use.

(JAMA 1986;256:900-907)

Author Affiliations
From the Council on Scientific Affairs, Panel on Lasers in Medicine and Surgery, American Medical Association, Chicago.

Footnotes
Report D of the Council on Scientific Affairs, adopted by the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association at the Interim Meeting, December 1985.

This report is not intended to be construed or to serve as a standard of medical care Standards of medical care are determined on the basis of all of the facts and circumstances involved in an individual case and are subject to change as scientific knowledge and technology advance and patterns of practice evolve. This report reflects the views of the scientific literature as of December 1985.

Reprint requests to Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association, 535 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610 (William R. Hendee, PhD).

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JAMA 1986;256:909-910.
ABSTRACT