POSITION PAPER: THE CASE FOR SCALPEL OVER LASER IN SURGERY
Author: Lev Neymotin, PhD
From the essay
While laser technology in surgery is often hailed as a modern marvel offering unmatched precision, this paper challenges the notion that it is universally superior to traditional scalpel-based techniques. Lasers, though technologically advanced, introduce forms of collateral damage, cost burdens, and procedural inefficiencies that are often underappreciated. Drawing from biophysical principles, economic considerations, and clinical case studies—particularly in the field of ophthalmology—this paper argues that scalpel-based surgery, especially in the hands of skilled practitioners, remains the safer, more effective, and more sustainable option in many scenarios.
Adapted from PDF pages 1.