Final answer:
Fires during laser surgery can occur because of various factors such as pooled prep solutions, improper handling of electrodes, or the laser igniting oxygen in an oxygen-rich environment. Lasers offer precise surgical applications, especially for retina repairs, due to their specific wavelength absorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason for fires in the operating room during laser surgery is often due to a combination of factors that may include pooling of prep solution (1), an active electrode not being properly contained in a holster (2), ignition of oxygen by lasers affecting the endotracheal tube (3), and the presence of an oxygen-rich environment surrounding the patient's face (4). Lasers are preferentially absorbed by tissues due to their single wavelength, making them precise tools for surgical procedures such as retina repair using a green argon laser. This specificity, however, also presents a risk factor for ignition in an oxygenated environment.
Laser surgery boasts benefits such as high precision in focusing the beam and minimal bleeding. This precision is due to the laser's ability to emit a single wavelength that is strongly absorbed by the tissue, especially when repairing parts of the retina. In these delicate procedures, the coagulation created by the laser results in scar tissue that helps maintain the retina's position, which is critical in preserving vision.