Lesson 1Parameter selection and settings: continuous vs pulsed mode, suggested power ranges for excision, duty cycle, tip activation and calibrationCover diode laser parameter choices, comparing continuous and pulsed modes, safe power levels, duty cycle effects, and methods for tip activation, calibration, and test firing for efficient cutting with minimal heat damage.
Continuous versus pulsed mode indicationsRecommended power ranges for excisionDuty cycle effects on tissue interactionFiber tip initiation and maintenanceCalibration, test firing, and safety checksLesson 2Comparison to scalpel excision: bleeding control, operative time, postop pain, healing quality, and histologic artifact implicationsCompare diode laser excision with scalpel surgery on bleeding control, procedure time, post-op pain, healing, and histologic changes that may affect diagnosis and reporting.
Bleeding control and field visibilityOperative time and efficiencyPostoperative pain and analgesic needsHealing patterns and scar formationHistologic artifact and margin assessmentLesson 3Risks, complications and mitigation: delayed healing, thermal necrosis, scarring, nerve damage and their preventionAnalyse risks like delayed healing, thermal necrosis, scarring, nerve injury, and infection in diode soft tissue surgery, with prevention tips, early signs, and management strategies.
Mechanisms of thermal tissue damageRecognizing delayed healing patternsPreventing and managing scarringAvoiding and managing nerve injuryInfection control and wound careLesson 4Specimen handling and when to send for histopathology after laser excisionLearn to handle tissue specimens post-diode excision, minimising thermal changes, with fixation, labelling, forms, and criteria for histopathology submission.
When to submit tissue for histologyMinimizing laser-induced artifactFixation, containers, and labelingCompleting pathology request formsCommunicating findings to patientsLesson 5Laser selection rationale: why diode (810–980 nm) for soft tissue excision — absorption by hemoglobin and melanin, hemostasis benefitsUnderstand why 810–980 nm diode lasers suit soft tissue excision, due to haemoglobin and melanin absorption, haemostasis, less bleeding, and unit selection tips.
Optical absorption in hemoglobin and melaninHemostatic advantages over scalpelClinical indications favoring diode useSelecting wavelength and fiber sizeLimitations compared with other lasersLesson 6Patient assessment: medical history, medications (anticoagulants, photosensitizers), lesion evaluation and differential diagnosisDetail pre-op assessment including medical history, drugs like anticoagulants and photosensitisers, lesion details, differential diagnosis, and records for diode use or referral.
Targeted medical and dental historyReviewing anticoagulants and photosensitizersExtraoral and intraoral lesion mappingFormulating a differential diagnosisCriteria for referral before surgeryLesson 7Preoperative preparation and informed consent specifics for laser soft tissue proceduresFocus on pre-op prep like patient education, laser-specific consent, photos, antisepsis, and verifying safety and emergency readiness.
Explaining laser benefits and limitationsDocumenting laser-specific consent itemsPreoperative photography and chartingOral rinses and field antisepsisVerifying laser safety and eyewearLesson 8Indications and case selection: benign mucosal lesions suitable for diode excision and contra-indicated lesions requiring biopsy or referralGuide case selection for diode excision of benign lesions, red flags needing biopsy or referral, and documentation for safe decisions.
Benign lesions suitable for diode excisionLesion features requiring urgent referralWhen incisional biopsy is preferredPhotographic and chart documentationCommunicating options and limitationsLesson 9Immediate postoperative management: wound care, analgesia, topical agents, follow-up scheduleStructured post-op care post-diode surgery: wound care, pain relief, topicals, diet, and follow-up to ensure healing and comfort.
Postoperative wound hygiene instructionsSystemic and local analgesia protocolsUse of topical gels, rinses, and dressingsDiet, activity, and oral habit restrictionsFollow-up visit timing and documentationLesson 10Anesthesia planning: local anesthetic choices and techniques, epinephrine considerations, managing patients on anticoagulantsReview anaesthesia for diode surgery: local choices, epinephrine for haemostasis, techniques, and adjustments for anticoagulant patients.
Selecting local anesthetic agentsEpinephrine benefits and contraindicationsInfiltration and nerve block techniquesAssessing anticoagulant and antiplatelet riskCoordinating with physicians when neededLesson 11Step-by-step operative technique: tissue marking, incision/excision technique with contact fiber, lateral sweeping, depth control, hemostatic strategiesStepwise diode excision: marking, fibre use, incision sweeps, depth control, haemostasis, and adjustments for safety.
Preoperative marking and isolationFiber angulation and contact techniqueIncision patterns and sweeping motionDepth control and margin managementIntraoperative hemostatic strategies
