How are carbon-dioxide lasers used to remove or cut tissue during surgery?

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Laser components: cutaway view — laser Basic laser components.

Carbon-dioxide lasers are used in surgery to remove or cut tissue by utilizing their infrared beams, which are strongly absorbed by the water content within living cells. This process effectively burns away the targeted tissue.1

A significant advantage of using this carbon-dioxide laser technology is its ability to cauterize cuts as they are made. By sealing blood vessels during the procedure, the laser helps stop bleeding, making it particularly useful for operating on blood-rich tissues, such as the gums or the female reproductive tract.1