Vapor and particulates from laser operation are called what?

• A. Fluence
• B. Pump
• C. Plume
• D. Modalities

Answer: (C)

Laser plume is the term for the vapor and particulates produced when a laser ablates tissue. This plume includes aerosols, smoke, water vapor, and tiny tissue fragments. It’s a byproduct of the tissue being vaporized by the laser, not the energy delivered or the equipment itself. Fluence is the energy per unit area delivered by the laser, pump is the energy source powering the laser, and modalities refer to different methods or types of treatments. So the correct term for the byproducts is plume. This is why safety practices emphasize smoke evacuation and protective gear, since laser plume can contain hazardous particles and, in some cases, infectious material.