Genitourinary reconstructive surgery utilizing laser tissue welding.

Overview

Laser tissue welding contributes several distinct advantages over current tissue approximation methods in the genitourinary tract. Low level laser energy combined with a protein solder can provide an immediate watertight seal that is supraphysiologic, nonlithogenic, rapid, and reliable. This review highlights the history of laser tissue welding, its applications to urologic surgery, recent developments to improve the technique, and future directions.