Some reflections and critical comments are given with respect to the application of Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation in benign conditions such as benign (anastomotic) strictures and especially benign polypoid adenomatous lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. Many questions still need to be answered before the full impact of laser in benign lesions is appreciated. A most distressing fact at present is the high local recurrence rate of adenomatous or carcinomatous tissue after apparently complete eradication of usually sessile adenomatous/carcinomatous lesions.