Laser Surgery-Small Animals

Goal: To acquaint the participant with the physics, safety, and proper use of a CO₂ laser in small animal practice.

Method: On-site training in your hospital using cadavers, real patients, or models, to instruct you hands-on in the proper technique of laser surgery in small animals.

Objective: To allow the general practitioner to become more familiar with basic laser safety & physics, and how it interacts with the tissue. A general discussion of basic soft tissue applications, to include dermatology, and abdominal surgery applications to better allow the practitioner to make intelligent decisions on how to use a laser in his/her practice.

1) Laser Safety-(Lecture)
a) The Operating Room
i) Posted signs
ii) Eye protection
(1) Proper selection of eye wear
iii) Fire potentials
iv) Physical hazards – power cords, laser burns
v) Reflection of laser light-direct vs. specular reflection
b) The Patient
(1) Ocular protection
(2) Extraneous wound protection
(3) Proper sterilization procedures
(4) Drapes
(5) OR table
(a) Thermal blankets
c) The Doctor
i) Responsibilities towards
(1) Patient
(2) Assistants
(3) Self
(a) Gloves, gowns
d) Laser Safety Officer
i) Responsibilities
(1) Training
(2) Equipment knowledge
(a) What to do in an emergency
2) Equipment: Laser, Plume Evacuator
a) Complete review of function
b) Cleaning, filter disposal (red-bag)
c) Positioning in operating room
d) Laser-safe surgical instruments
3) Use of Laser
a) Acceptable procedures
b) Harmful procedures
c) Selection of proper settings
d) Myths of the Laser
4) Marketing
a) How to charge
b) How to educate clients & staff (end lecture)
5) Laboratory (Hands On Surgical Training)
a) Review of Anatomy as it applies to laser surgery
b) Feline declaw
c) Feline/canine ovariohysterectomy
d) Feline/canine neuter
e) Lumpectomy

Participants are free to schedule 3-5 surgeries in a one-day period. You may also bring in one other veterinarian if you wish, and videotape the procedure. Group teaching rates are also available, as well as state convention presentations.

 

Costs vary depending on location, number of procedures performed, and number of days at your location. For an estimate, please call 425-608-2614, or 425-218-1400, or send an email to JMayoDVM@comcast.net.

 

If you are interested in a more detailed agenda for laser training in your hospital, please download the <following document>.

 

 

 

So why become certified in lasers?

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I was recently asked by a fellow veterinarian-why should I pay dues and how can the  VSLS help me? First, we should look at the mission statement for the VSLS. The VSLS is committed to enhancing the understanding of lasers and to increase the appropriate utilization of laser in veterinary medicine. We strive to accomplish this goal by ongoing educational courses, advisory committees, newsletters and an Annual Meeting. We also strive to get experts to present new and current technologies and procedures for you to adapt in your every day practice.

 

The VSLS has recently developed and implemented a certification program. One might ask-Why should I become certified? We have several reasons for certification. First, by certification, we can help assure that those who are certified have a basic understanding of how a laser works, interacts with tissue, and an understanding of laser safely. Second, certification help us know that our members have a good understanding of what procedures can be performed with a laser and how to perform them. Also, those certified have demonstrated a level of competence with a laser. These all together will help you better serve your clientele at a higher level. For more information about certification, please contact the VSLS. 

 

 

 

 

Is it important to make sure my vet is certified in laser-use?

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Assuring that your laser-veterinarian has been certified by the VSLS is your way of knowing that your veterinarian is up-to-date on the current accepted methods of using carbon dioxide lasers for practical surgical methods on your pet. Veterinarians with little experience or practical knowledge of the advantages of using a laser in veterinary medicine and surgery may inappropriately apply its use with less-than desirable outcomes on your pet. Check with your veterinarian or the Veterinary Surgical Laser Society for certified veterinarians in your area (www.vetsls.com). Veterinarians, see the June 2006 edition of Veterinary Medicine for a list of who passed the examination.

 

Having laser surgery performed on your pet provides a number of advantages for the best possible outcome. First, less postoperative pain is perceived by your pet. The heat generated by the laser seals the end of the cut nerves so pain perception is significantly decreased. Second, there is less bleeding during the procedure, again due to the heat sealing the ends of small blood vessels. This results in less blood loss, less postoperative swelling, shorter surgery times. Third, the laser sterilizes the wound, so less postoperative infections occur. Lastly, your pet goes home sooner, and returns to a normal life faster.