The incorporation of laser technology into surgical practice stands as one of the most significant technological advances of 20th-century medicine. Its development was grounded in fundamental discoveries in physics and has since progressed into a wide range of clinical applications. The theoretical basis for laser technology originated with Einstein’s description of stimulated emission in 1917, later expanded by Townes and Schawlow in the 1950s, culminating in the creation of the first functional laser by Maiman in 1960 (Maiman 1960; Parker 2007). Clinical translation followed rapidly. In 1962, Goldman demonstrated the biological effects of continuous-wave ruby lasers on tissue, establishing the feasibility of medical laser use and laying the foundation for surgical adoption (Goldman 1962; Brodie 2003). A major milestone occurred with Patel’s development of the CO₂ laser in 1964 and its subsequent refinement into a surgical instrument by Kaplan and Sharon during the 1970s. This innovation enabled precise cutting and ablation with improved haemostasis and minimal collateral tissue damage (Philipp & Trelles 2015). Over time, the introduction of multiple laser wavelengths—including Nd:YAG, argon, and excimer—allowed surgeons to tailor tissue interactions for specific clinical purposes (Azadgoli & Baker 2016; Khalkhal et al. 2019). Laser technology has since transformed numerous specialties. In ophthalmology, excimer and femtosecond lasers revolutionised refractive surgery, leading to procedures such as PRK and LASIK (Wynne et al. 1981; Samelska & Izdebska 2025). In urology, laser lithotripsy and soft-tissue ablation became standard practice, while CO₂ laser systems contributed to the evolution of minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery (Zarrabi & Gross 2011; SLS 2025). The enduring significance of laser surgery lies in its precision, reduced intraoperative bleeding, and facilitation of faster recovery, cementing its role as a cornerstone of modern surgical practice and ongoing technological innovation.