This book is the result of the authors' many years of experience in using neurosurgical lasers. They began using laser diodes in their speciality at the start of the 1990s, making them pioneers in the field. The first part of the book deals with the general physical bases and comparative bio-tissue effects of the various kinds of surgical laser, safety measures required and legislation concerning powerful lasers. The second part focuses on laser diodes alone. The authors describe in detail how they use them to operate on intracranial and intraspinal tumours, in intraventricular endoscopy, and in surgery involving epilepsy. Details are given of: technical data; the choice of parameters depending on how the lasers are used (contact and non-contact, and the type of lesion being operated on) as well as their indications in neurosurgery. The authors emphasise the practical recommendations that make this book a valuable companion for current and potential users working in neurosurgery and other surgical applications. They also mention the new and future uses of laser diodes which are currently being developed and which show that this equipment really does represent a new generation of lasers. About 100 colour illustrations and tables are used to explain and underscore the authors' points.