[Nd-YAG laser treatment of tracheo-bronchial stenotic lesions]

Fourteen patients were treated with a Nd-YAG laser. Treatment to relieve airway stenosis was administered on fifteen occasions, and on one occasion to treat an obstruction. In each case the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope was used. In 4 emergency cases, three involving tracheal lesions and one involving a bronchial lesion, the airway was widened and the patients' condition was improved after laser ablation. In the palliative treatment of 12 lesions, the stenoses were severed and treated at an interval of time varying between one and three weeks. Complications occurred in 3 cases. There were 2 instances of massive haemorrhage and one of pneumothorax which occurred while treating the 5 stenoses situated at broncho-plastic anastomoses.