Treatment of tracheobronchial lesions by laser photoresection.
One hundred eleven patients underwent 205 laser photo-irradiation treatments using a Neodynium YAG laser with a flexible bronchoscope or an open tube for various tracheobronchial conditions, such as obstructing bronchogenic carcinomas, bronchial adenomas, and postintubation tracheal stenosis. The procedure was performed with either local or general anesthesia. Results were especially rewarding with endobronchial tumors. Tracheal stenoses were best treated by a combination of laser surgery and tracheal dilatation. No complication was encountered. Specific indications suggested for laser surgery are resection of inoperable tracheobronchial tumors, correction of tracheal stenosis, removal of surgical sutures, retrieval of tissue-embedded foreign bodies, and cauterization of hemorrhaging endobronchial tissues.