[Treatment of tracheobronchial malignant tumors using a new high power diode contact laser (GaAlAs) system]

We treated ten patients with tracheobronchial malignant tumors using a new high power diode contact laser (GaAlAs) system (DIOMED 25, OLYMPUS) with a flexible bronchofiberscope (OLYMPUS BF IT200 or BF IT240). The total energy of the high power diode laser was 811 J, with a range of 64-3,960 J. With this method 85.7 percent of the symptoms such as dyspnea and hemoptysis were improved, and there was no incidence of massive hemorrhage or serious respiratory failure. The results confirmed the usefulness and safety of this method of treatment for obstructive lesions due to tracheobronchial polypoid malignant tumor and bleeding of the tracheobronchial tree.