Laser Surgery in Microgravity

Human activity in microgravity environments place flight crews at risk to injury that may require surgical triage and care. Current protocols developed to handle surgical care in microgravity are derived from earth-based wound care techniques. Fluid and debris containment, spacecraft environmental contamination, and expediency of wound care in microgravity remain as significant obstacles. For space based surgery, lasers may allow procedures for rapid stabilization of emergency or traumatic injuries, surgical fluid control, hemostasis, and reduce contamination of the aircraft environment. The purpose of this paper is to outline the basic concept of laser surgery in an aviation and microgravity environment using carbon dioxide, neodymium–yttrium—aluminum–garnet (Nd:YAG), KTP, and excimer laser incisions within high altitude, military, aviation, and microgravity environments. “The plans for extending the human presence beyond the limits of Earth into space are: in the 1990s, to establish a permanent presence on the Space Station; in the first decade of the 21st century, to establish an outpost on the lunar surface, and to follow that in the second decade with an expedition to the surface of Mars.” “The demands and potential hazards of space flight require that crew members maintain health and peak proficiency at all times.” “Medical support for space station operations will require new philosophies and new technologies.” “The major considerations in developing such a system … for use in a spacecraft are to provide a sterile environment as well as to prevent contamination of the cabin with blood and other debris while performing the surgery.”