Laser and Light-Based Device Education in a Plastic Surgery Residency Program: A Continuing Medical Education Overview

The increasing prevalence of laser use, particularly in plastic surgery, demands the need for education of both practitioners and trainees to ensure patient safety and efficacy. The purpose of this continuing medical education module is to provide the learner with a detailed outline for laser training education for plastic surgery trainees. In this overview, a discussion of the characteristics of light, an introduction to fundamental laser principles, a comparison between lasers and pulsed light systems, and examples of several therapeutic applications for light-based devices in the clinical setting will be presented. Additionally, the five parameters necessary for operation of light-based devices, as well as the importance of laser safety education will be reviewed. It is the authors’ hope that this CME will provide both practicing plastic surgeons and trainees the proper education on the lasers and pulsed light devices that they will use in their clinical practices.