[Application and limitation of laser pulmonary resection]

A new type of laser handpiece, bipolar Nd-YAG laser dissector, was experimentally applied for laser pulmonary resection of the dogs. The lung was completely and easily divided by the use of the bipolar laser dissector without scissors. The dissected edge without cartilages was completely sealed and additional stitches by threads was not required. But massive leakage of air was obvious from the dissected bronchus. The cause of unsuccessful sealing of the bronchus was supposed to be an unequal tissue remodeling, because of a very high melting point of cartilages compared with other tissue. We conclude that the bipolar Nd-YAG laser dissector contributes segmental pulmonary resection at the level without bronchi and it should not be applied for pulmonary resection containing bronchial cartilages.