HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Grant V.S. Parr Robert G. Trout Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Parr, G. V. S. Articles by Atkinson, W. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Parr, G. V. S. Articles by Atkinson, W. G.

Ann Thorac Surg 1984;38:374-381
© 1984 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

---

Articles

One Hundred Neodymium–YAG Laser Ablations of Obstructing Tracheal Neoplasms

Pulmonary and Thoracic Surgery Sections, Presbyterian–University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA

^* Address reprint requests to Dr. Parr, Medical Office Bldg Suite 105, Presbyterian–University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 39th and Market Sts, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Forty patients with obstructing, nonresectable tracheal neoplasms underwent 100 ablations with the neodymium–yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) laser. The laser allows bloodless resection and vaporization of tumors. Unlike the carbon dioxide laser, the neodymium–YAG laser can be used with the flexible bronchoscope and has an excellent effect on coagulation.

Thirty-four patients had primary lung malignancies (epidermoid in 24); 4 had metastatic malignancies; and 2 had benign lesions. Results have been excellent in 22, fair in 10, and poor in 8. No patient has died or had a deleterious result. Complications have occurred in only 1 of 89 ablations done with the flexible bronchoscope.

We believe that the neodymium–YAG laser is effective in opening major tracheal or bronchial obstructions and offers substantial symptomatic improvement in patients who are short of breath. Although this treatment is only palliative, the results have been excellent in more than half of the patients.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				I. A. Du Rand, P. V. Barber, J. Goldring, R. A. Lewis, S. Mandal, M. Munavvar, R. C. Rintoul, P. L. Shah, S. Singh, M. G. Slade, et al. British Thoracic Society guideline for advanced diagnostic and therapeutic flexible bronchoscopy in adults Thorax, November 1, 2011; 66(Suppl_3): iii1 - iii21. [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. J. Landreneau, S. R. Hazelrigg, J. A. Johnson, T. M. Boley, W. Nawarawong, and J. J. Curtis Neodymiumi:yttrium-aluminum garnet laser-assisted pulmonary resections Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 1991; 51(6): 973 - 977. [Abstract] [PDF]

				W. H. Warren, P. Bleck, C. F. Kittle, and L. P. Faber Surgical management of pulmonary metastatic leiomyosarcoma with gross endobronchial extension Ann. Thorac. Surg., November 1, 1990; 50(5): 739 - 742. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. J. Mathisen and H. C. Grillo Endoscopic Relief of Malignant Airway Obstruction Ann. Thorac. Surg., October 1, 1989; 48(4): 469 - 475. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Hetzel Laser palliation of tracheobronchial tumours: a review Palliative Medicine, June 1, 1988; 2(2): 134 - 138. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. F. Gelb and J. D. Epstein Neodymium-Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser in Lung Cancer Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 1987; 43(2): 164 - 167. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. LoCicero III, R. S. Hartz, J. W. Frederiksen, and L. L. Michaelis New Applications of the Laser in Pulmonary Surgery: Hemostasis and Sealing of Air Leaks Ann. Thorac. Surg., December 1, 1985; 40(6): 546 - 550. [Abstract] [PDF]