Podiatrists have long recognized the advantage of lasers to remove tissue without many of the unpleasant side effects that can result from conventional surgeries. For example, Lumenis laser technology precisely eliminates the targeted tissues while sparing normal surrounding areas. Laser therapy has the added advantage of simultaneously cleaning and cauterizing the edges of the treated areas.

For more than two decades, podiatrists have used lasers in place of scalpels to treat a wide variety of conditions such as:

• Neuromas
• Periungual, subungual and plantar warts
• Radical nail excision (VersaPulse PowerSuite)
• Nail matrixectomy

Patient benefits of laser surgery include:

• Less tissue injury
• Less swelling
• Less postoperative pain and discomfort
• Speedy recovery
• Optimum healing
• Reduced risk of infection
• Minimal, if any, scar formation

Low-level laser therapy with Lumenis' CO₂ lasers is particularly suitable for performing precise hemostatic procedures, treatment of fungal and ingrown (onychocryptosis) nails and porokeratoma ablation.

More stubborn conditions such as neuromas, plantar warts and radical nail excisions can be treated with Lumenis' CO₂ Lasers and VersaPulse PowerSuite.

A wide array of reusable and disposable delivery devices allows podiatric surgeons to select the exact tools they need for every procedure. Lumenis SlimLine flexible, reusable fibers provide a robust design that helps keep costs per case low. The surgeon can also choose from the InfraTome and VersaTip low-profile devices.

• SlimLine — reusable, end-firing fiber, four sizes from 200 microns to 1,000 microns
• InfraTome — single-use, four tip configurations that direct the laser energy from 0° to 70°
• VersaTip — limited reuse, for use in applications requiring an aqueous environment, four tip configurations that direct the laser energy from 0° to 70°, used with the multiple-use VersaLink handpiece