Laser surgery

At the Equine Hospital, we regularly perform a variety of different types of surgery using our Class IV surgical lasers. We have two types of laser, diode and carbon dioxide, which enables us to offer a full range of laser surgery in horses and other species.

These are powerful lasers which can cause harm if not used properly. Our staff are suitably trained to use these lasers and are experienced in their use in clinical cases. 

Most of our laser surgery is performed to remove skin masses such as sarcoids and perform minimally invasive surgery of the upper airway. 

What is a surgical laser?

A laser is a specialised form of light. Less powerful ones are used in laser pointers or may be used as therapeutic lasers. Class IV (surgical) lasers have the ability to cut tissues or cause coagulation and destruction of tissue. Safety measures include use of specialised goggles to prevent damage to the eyes of personnel using the laser. Care has to be taken when using laser on tissues to ensure that no damage is created to nearby tissues. 

What are the uses and benefits of laser surgery?

Skin mass removal 

Lasers have the advantage of less bleeding at the surgery site and can reduce the chances of skin cancers regrowing. They are particularly useful for the removal of most sarcoids (tumours that affect the skin) and have been shown to have better results compared to traditional surgical removal in terms of the risk of sarcoid regrowth. We may sometimes use laser for the removal of other masses such as melanomas depending on their size and location.   

Upper airway surgery 

Diode lasers have revolutionised upper airway surgery in the horse. They can be used via an endoscope enabling upper airway surgery to be performed in the standing sedated horse without the need for an external (skin) incision. Some procedures are performed in conjunction with traditional types of airway surgery such as tiebacks. Lasers can also enable us to perform some types of surgery that are difficult or sometimes impossible to perform using conventional surgery e.g. some procedures of the guttural pouch.  

Ophthalmic and other surgeries 

Lasers have a variety of other uses that are indicated less commonly. These include surgery of the eye and transendoscopic surgery of the uterus and bladder.