The paper reviews the past 11 years of literature on the application of diode Lasers in atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite furnaces (GF), plasmas and flames as atomizers. Experimental arrangements and techniques for powerful absorption measurements as well as the theoretical background are covered. The analytical possibilities of high-resolution spectroscopy, including Dopplerfree techniques for isotope selective measurements and isotope dilution analysis are discussed and various applications of element-selective detection by diode Laser atomic absorption in combination with separation techniques, such as liquid (LC) and gas chromatography (GC), and with Laser ablation of solid samples, are presented.

Aim: There are various approaches to accomplish dacryocystorhinostomy. Our aim has been to assess the results of transcanalicular Laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy. Patients and Methods: Seventeen patients underwent 19 transcanalicular Laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy from 2001 to 2002 in Khatam Hospital. Mean age of the patients was 36.4±8.47 years (range, 25 to 53), with female to male ratio of 13 (76%) to 4 (24%). Involvement of the right, left, and bilateral lacrimal system was seen in 8, 7, and 2 patients, respectively. Operations were performed under general anesthesia. After dilation of the inferior lacrimal punctum, a 600-micron Laser probe was introduced through the inferior punctum and then to the lacrimal sac. A 4mm, 30-degree nasal endoscope was introduced into the ipsilateral nostril, enabling visualization of Laser beam through the lateral nasal wall. The stoma was fashioned with the diode Laser and enlarged under direct vision by low energy pulses. Next a bicanalicular silicone tube was routinely introduced and secured in place with knots. This was left in place for at least 12 weeks.Results: Two of the patients had bilateral involvement. Mean followup time was 8.97 months (range, 5-12). Four recurrences were observed in 19 procedures. Overall success rate of transcanalicular diode Laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy was 78.9%. Apart from recurrences, no complications were noted in intraoperative or postoperative period.Conclusion: Transcanalicular Laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy performed with a 600-micron contact fiber is a relatively simple, effective, and scarless procedure when used in conjunction with nasal endoscopy, in treatment of lacrimal pathways distal obstruction. The technique of opening the nasolacrimal sac from inside to outside reduces the risk of thermal damage to the orbital contents with the Laser. In general, this technique is well comparable to external and endonasal techniques, although the success rate is lower. With more experiences and correcting the limitations, this technique would become more popular with higher success rates.

Introduction: Laser-assisted vaporization of prostate tissue by means of the potassiumtitanyl-phosphate (KTP) Laser is in clinical use. Alternative Laser sources are available but are lacking clinical experience. The 980 nm wavelength diode Laser provides good hemostasis, in addition to a more rapid ablation rate. The aim of this study is approving the capability, feasibility, and good post-operative outcome of vaporization of prostate by means of a diode Laser in a long-term follow up.Methods: The light (980 nm, 100 W) of a diode Laser was transmitted to prostate tissue. The study included 70 men suffering from bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The prostatic lobes were vaporized within the prostatic capsule. Post-operative outcome and voiding were evaluated during a follow-up period of 24 months.Results: During surgery, no significant blood loss or any fluid absorption occurred. Catheters were removed in the 20.1±4.6 hours. All patients except two were satisfied with their voiding outcome. After removing the catheter, the mean peak urine flow rate significantly increased from 6.8±2.5 ml/s preoperatively to 15.6±3.1 ml/s postoperatively. No evidence of urgency, dysuria, hematuria, or incontinence was observed. Four patients required re-catheterization, and two of them needed consecutive TURP. After a 1-month, as well as after a 6-month, a 12-mouth, and a 1-year follow-up, all patients were still satisfied with the outcome.Conclusion: This long term experience showed that 100 W-980 nm-diode-Laser vaporization prostatectomy was feasible and appeared to be safe and effective for quickly relieving bladder outlet obstruction due to BPH.

Introduction: Lasers have made tremendous progress in the field of dentistry and have turned out to be crucial in oral surgery as collateral approach for soft tissue surgery. This rapid progress can be attributed to the fact that Lasers allow efficient execution of soft tissue procedures with excellent hemostasis and field visibility. When matched to scalpel, electrocautery or high frequency devices, Lasers offer maximum postoperative patient comfort.Methods: Four patients agreed to undergo surgical removal of benign lesions of the oral cavity.810 nm diode Lasers were used in continuous wave mode for excisional biopsy. The specimens were sent for histopathological examination and patients were assessed on intraoperative and postoperative complications.Results: diode Laser surgery was rapid, bloodless and well accepted by patients and led to complete resolution of the lesions. The excised specimen proved adequate for histopathological examination. Hemostasis was achieved immediately after the procedure with minimal postoperative problems, discomfort and scarring.Conclusion: We conclude that diode Lasers are rapidly becoming the standard of care in contemporary dental practice and can be employed in procedures requiring excisional biopsy of oral soft tissue lesions with minimal problems in histopathological diagnosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of contact diode Laser cyclophotocoagulation (CDLCPC) in treating different types of refractory glaucoma. Methods: In this before-after clinical trial, 30 eyes of 29 patients with refractory glaucoma unresponsive to usual medical and surgical management were treated by CDLCPC using Oculight  SLX system. All patients were treated by one surgeon. Success was defined as IOP reduction to 6- 22 mmHg with or without anti-glaucoma medications.Results: Patients' age ranged from 13-18 years (mean 50±22). Postoperative follow up ranged from 2-16 months (mean 7.9±3.9 months). IOP was significantly reduced from a preoperative level of 30.7±9.6 mmHg to a post operative level of 19.3±10 mmHg (P<0.0001). The success rate was 50% by the above-mentioned criteria; 10 eyes without any anti-glaucoma medication and 5 eyes with anti glaucoma medications had an IOP of6-22 mmHg. Complications included 4 cases of hyphema (13%),4 cases of vitreous hemorrhage (13%),6 cases of choroidal effusion (20%), and two cases of phthisis bulbi (6.7%).Conclusion: CDLCPC is a useful and cost-effective procedure for eyes with refractory glaucoma but serious complications such as phthisis bulbi may occur after this treatment modality.

Blood vessel defects or endothelial proliferation can cause vascular lesions. Capillary hemangiomas are produced in a connective tissue stroma by small capillaries surrounded by a layer of endothelial cells. Numerous procedures, including excisional surgery, sclerotherapy, and Laser irradiation, are used to treat these conditions. This study presents a clinical case of surgical removal of a hemangioma in the buccal mucous membrane using a defocused irradiation mode of a diode Laser. A 47-year-old woman with a purple lesion in the mucous membrane of the right cheek was referred to Jihad Dental Clinic. The diode Laser, with a wavelength of 980nm, was selected for treating the lesion in defocused mode at an output power of 2.5 W in continuous mode. In surgery, no bleeding was observed, which provided the surgeon with better vision and resulted in a minimally invasive procedure. Due to fewer postoperative complications, using Laser diodes in the treatment of oral hemangioma as a conservative approach, and providing simple surgical procedures with minimal side effects, may be beneficial to both patients and doctors.  Keywords: Hemangioma; Lasers; Semiconductor; Vascular malformation.