Laser surgery evolves from nice-to-have to indispensable for veterinarians

by Anya Glazkova, PhD

Online Article of the Journal of the American Laser Study Club | Download PDF

Not long ago, surgical lasers in veterinary medicine were part of an emerging clinical technology universe: exciting in concept but unevenly adopted. In many general practices, questions about training, workflow, and return on investment often outweighed the perceived benefit. Lasers were viewed as something you might use occasionally – helpful in the right hands, but not essential. It is drastically different today thanks to advances brought by the VetScalpel, a veterinary laser division of the Seattle, USA-based LightScalpel, Inc.

CO₂ laser surgery is steadily gaining wider adoption, supported by practical improvements that matter in real operating rooms: less bleeding, improved visibility, reduced swelling, better healing, and more efficient procedures. Earlier laser technologies required extensive technical knowledge, including an understanding of power settings, pulse modes (the relationship among pulse duration, frequency, and tissue effects), spot size, tissue interactions, and more. In contrast, the newest VetScalpel CO₂ lasers are much more user-friendly, featuring LaserSurgeon Assist™ software, built-in safety features, super-ergonomic and autoclaveable laser handpieces, and preset protocols to maximize surgical success. At the same time, access to training and standardized protocols is expanding, making it easier for teams to adopt laser workflows safely and consistently. The conversation has matured from “Should we use lasers?” to a more relevant question: “Where do lasers clearly and drastically improve outcomes, and how do we use them responsibly?”

A clinician’s “why” often starts with patient welfare

For Boaz Man, DVM, the VetScalpel laser surgery isn’t a gadget – it’s tied to the core reason he became a veterinarian.

“From a young age, I’ve been deeply connected to animals, which has fueled my lifelong dedication to helping them,” he said. “My veterinary oath to alleviate pet suffering has consistently driven me to make informed decisions in their care. Staying up to date with the latest technology has always been crucial for me, and I discovered that laser surgery was a key component of my success in general veterinary practice.”

Dr. Man was introduced to laser surgery early in his career and continued to work in practices that used it. Over time, he said, the benefits of small animal surgery became difficult to unsee.

“I’ve observed its benefits in small animal practice and can’t imagine returning to traditional methods,” he said. “Educating pet owners about optimal animal care is essential, as we advocate for pets who can’t speak for themselves.”

This focus on owner education has helped laser surgery move from being perceived as “advanced” to something pet parents increasingly expect when evaluating surgical options.

Why modern laser adoption feels different from how it used to

One reason laser surgery is gaining momentum now is that it’s becoming easier to integrate into everyday workflows. In the past, surgeons often needed extensive technical expertise to feel comfortable bringing a laser into routine cases. Today, the modern VetScalpel CO₂ laser platform and training pathways increasingly emphasize repeatability: consistent technique, practical protocols, and team-based safety.

This represents a shift from “mastering a complicated device” to “building a standardized surgical system” with VetScalpel’s LaserSurgeon Assist™ technology. When clinics do that well, the laser stops being seen as a specialty flex and becomes a reliable tool for common procedures.

“There is no bleeding around”: the OR realities that drive momentum

Surgeon Jakub Kaczmarek, DVM, describes the appeal in direct surgical terms. For stenotic nares treatment, he calls his VetScalpel CO₂ laser use “a huge advantage” compared with a scalpel, “first of all because there is no bleeding around.” He adds that healing is “much faster,” with improved “postoperative comfort.”

Dr. Kaczmarek also emphasizes the benefits of VetScalpel laser surgery in terms of time and anesthesia, which are always at the forefront of mind in brachycephalic cases: “Since it’s not bleeding at all, the procedure is much faster, and this, of course, reduces the anesthesia time.”

Those are the kinds of practical differences that spread quickly through a profession – not because they sound impressive on paper, but because they change what the team experiences in the room.

BOAS is where the impact becomes unmistakable

Few conditions illustrate the stakes of surgical technique like brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). These are patients where tissue handling, swelling, visualization, and speed can influence the recovery window in a very real way. For clinicians doing this work, the “before and after” can be striking.

Dr. Man described the moment that continues to motivate him: “Every time a dog can’t breathe properly and then suddenly is brought back to life, something very magical takes place.” He ties that transformation to a broader welfare responsibility in popular short-nosed breeds, and to a change in how he thinks about timing. “Previously, I referred BOAS cases to specialists after ineffective ‘wait and see’ methods,” he said. “I realized that when we recognize abnormal anatomy and intervene at an early age, we increase the likelihood of the greatest success for short-nosed pets who suffer from airway obstruction.”

The evidence is catching up to what clinicians observe

While the day-to-day case experience has advanced laser adoption, the research base is also becoming more practical. One large retrospective review in the JAVMA examined over 400 canine BOAS staphylectomy cases across multiple hospitals and reported that major short-term complication rates differed by technique. In a large real-world dataset, the CO₂ laser technique was associated with a lower rate of major short-term complications compared to cut-and-sew, bipolar vessel-sealing alone, and bipolar vessel-sealing with sutured apposition.

Training is the real hinge point – and technicians are central

As more clinics adopt CO₂ laser surgery as routine, success depends less on a single clinician and more on the entire team’s system. This includes safety checks, plume management, eye-protection compliance, standardized setup, and a shared understanding of laser-tissue interaction.

Noel Berger, DVM, summarizes the long-term reality of laser practice simply: “Once you’ve been using lasers… you see improvements… new accessories, new software, and technologies.” He adds that he currently uses a VetScalpel surgical laser. That mindset – that competency is built, refined, and maintained – is what separates a laser sitting in a corner from a laser that genuinely improves patient care.

This is also where structured education becomes essential. A CO₂ laser can be a powerful surgical tool, but responsible adoption requires more than enthusiasm; it requires a solid foundation, technique, and the discipline to use the tool appropriately for the right anatomy and indications. The VetScalpel surgical CO₂ laser platform with LaserSurgeon Assist™ technology makes the adoption feasible and enjoyable.

The next phase isn’t novelty. It’s competence.

The VetScalpel veterinary laser surgery is gaining widespread acceptance not because it’s trendy, but because it’s becoming increasingly practical. The tools have improved, training is more easily accessible, and the workflow advantages are clear – especially in high-impact procedures like BOAS surgery.

The American Laser Study Club and the Veterinary Laser Surgery Symposium intersect innovation and practicality, helping clinicians and teams build highly efficient, productive, and repeatable, safety-first VetScalpel CO₂ laser workflows grounded in technique, protocols, and real-world case experience. The future of laser surgery will be defined not by hype, but by consistent execution and outcomes that hold up across a multitude and variety of different types of procedures, patients, and practitioners – all with the power of VetScalpel’s CO₂ surgical laser platform.

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