Nd-YAG Laser Treatment for Tracheobronchial Obstruction

The Nd-YAG laser has good tissue penetration and coagulation effects thus has become an important weapon for photoresection of tracheobronchial obstructive lesions since 1980. Treatment of benign lesions including benign tumors and scar tissues using the Nd-YAG laser has good results. In the treatment of malignant tumors however, it has a lower effectivity rate when compared to benign lesions. From July 1984 to September 1995, a total of 65 patients were treated with Nd-YAG laser for tracheobronchial obstruction. There were 32 (49%) malignant tumors and 33 (51%) benign lesions. 116 resections were performed in 48 patients using the non-contact Nd-YAG laser (MBB, Medilas 2) before 1992. Thereafter, another 41 resections were performed in 17 cases using contact Nd-YAG laser (SLT, CL-X). The overall effectivity rate was 60%. The effectivity rate for benign lesions was 81.3% and 39.4% for malignant tumor. The effectivity rate between non-contact and contact Nd-YAG laser was not significantly different.