Lesson 1Parameter selection and settings: continuous vs pulsed mode, suggested power ranges for excision, duty cycle, tip activation and calibrationThis section covers diode laser parameter selection, contrasting continuous and pulsed modes, defining safe power ranges, duty cycle implications, and practical methods for tip activation, calibration, and test firing to achieve efficient cutting with minimal thermal 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 implicationsThis section compares diode laser excision with scalpel surgery, addressing intraoperative bleeding, operative time, postoperative pain, healing quality, and potential histologic artefacts that may influence diagnostic accuracy 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 preventionThis section analyses risks and complications of diode soft tissue surgery, such as delayed healing, thermal necrosis, scarring, nerve injury, and infection, and presents preventive strategies, early recognition signs, and evidence-based management protocols.
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 excisionThis section explains how to manage tissue specimens after diode excision, including handling to minimise thermal artefact, fixation protocols, labelling, completion of pathology forms, and criteria for always sending samples for histopathologic evaluation.
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 benefitsThis section explains why diode lasers in the 810–980 nm range are preferred for many soft tissue procedures, emphasising absorption by haemoglobin and melanin, haemostasis, reduced bleeding, and practical selection among available diode units.
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 diagnosisThis section details comprehensive preoperative assessment, including medical history, medication review for anticoagulants and photosensitisers, lesion description, differential diagnosis, and documentation to justify diode laser 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 proceduresThis section focuses on preoperative preparation, including patient education, specific informed consent elements for laser use, pre-op photographs, antisepsis, and verification of laser safety measures and emergency readiness in the operatory.
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 referralThis section guides case selection for diode excision, detailing benign mucosal lesions appropriate for laser removal, clinical red flags that mandate biopsy or referral, and documentation needed to support safe, defensible treatment 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 scheduleThis section explains structured postoperative care after diode laser surgery, including wound hygiene, analgesic regimens, topical agents, dietary advice, and evidence-based follow-up intervals to support uneventful healing and patient 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 anticoagulantsThis section reviews anaesthesia planning for diode soft tissue surgery, including choice of local anaesthetic, epinephrine use for haemostasis, injection techniques, and risk assessment and modification for patients taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications.
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 strategiesThis section presents a stepwise diode excision protocol, covering lesion marking, fibre orientation, incision and lateral sweeping techniques, depth and margin control, haemostatic manoeuvres, and intraoperative adjustments to maintain safety and precision.
Preoperative marking and isolationFiber angulation and contact techniqueIncision patterns and sweeping motionDepth control and margin managementIntraoperative hemostatic strategies
