These eight volumes, which developed out of the international congress "Update and Future Trends in Fibrin Sealing in Surgical and Nonsurgical Fields" held in November 1992, present the state of the art in fibrin sealing. In itially, fibrin sealant played an important role in surgery. During the past few years, it has been increasingly applied nonsurgically, and we can now say that it has become an integral component of medical treatment. The doubts which have been raised by nonusers about the efficacy of fibrin sealant are no longer valid. The correct indication and technique continue to be basic prerequisites for effective treatment. Even today - 20 years after fibrin sealant was first used - the three most prominent effects of fibrin sealant are still hemostasis, sealing of the wound, and support of wound healing. The problems posed by the transmission of viral infections have gained sub stantially in importance because of the potential transmission of AIDS via fi brin sealant. Fortunately, this is so unlikely today that it no longer represents a cause for concern, which does not mean, however, that research in this field can be discontinued.

With the exploding progress we are experiencing in the field of lasers in neurosurgery it was felt that a new volume devoted to lasers in neurosurgery is needed. As opposed to other early laser publications which were limited to North American contributors we have decided to publish Lasers in Neurosurgery which presents the findings of neurosurgeons from throughout the world. The decision to publish all contributions in English, regardless of the native language of the author, makes Lasers in Neurosurgery truly a forum for international neurosurgeons. Our intent is to make available the findings of international neurosurgeons, which are frequently published in less fa miliar languages, to neurosurgeons beyond the boundaries of the authors' countries. We hope that neurosurgeons not only in North America and Europe, but throughout the world, will profit by Lasers in Neurosurgery. November 1988 Edward F. Downing, M. D. , F. A. C. S. Contents FRANK, F. : Basic Physics and Biophysics 1 TEW JR. , J. M. , TOBLER, W. D. , ZUCCARELLO, M. : The Treatment of Arteriovenous Malformations of the Brain with the N- dymium: YAG Laser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 CLARK, W. C. , ROBERTSON, J. H. : Laser Resection of Meningiomas 49 ASCHER, P. W. : Tumours on and in the Pons and Medulla oblongata 69 NEBLETT, C. R. : Reconstructive Vascular Neurosurgery: Micros- gical CO Laser Application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 2 CRONE, K. R. , BERGER, T. S. , TEW JR. , J. M. : Laser Applications in Pediatric Neurosurgery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .