Lasers generate unidirectional beams of monochromatic, and temporally and spatially coherent electromagnetic radiation that are capable of vaporizing and coagulating biological tissue. Specific physical characteristics of laser energies of different wavelengths impart to each form of surgical laser specific potentials for clinical use in neurological surgery. The major advantages of surgical lasers appear to be improved precision, reduction of surgically related mechanical trauma, reduction of blood loss, and decreased operative time. Improvement of operative mortality and morbidity and increased longevity that might result from its use would make the laser cost effective.