[1318 nm YAG-ND laser in surgery of lung metastases]

YAG laser with 1318 nm wave was used in the treatment of 23 patients with peripheral lesions of the lungs, 7 of them had multiple lung metastases. Advantage of YAG laser over electric knife was demonstrated. In diagnosis of lung metastases it is necessary to consider not only results of computed tomography but also ones of intraoperative palpation that requires a wide surgical approach for hand manipulation in the pleural cavity. This method permits one to detect more metastases. Lateral thoracotomy with or without rib resection creates optimal conditions for use of YAG laser in surgery of multiple lung metastases.