[Effectiveness of the use of high-energy lasers in bronchology]

Bronchoscopy by laser radiation was performed in 141 patients. CO2 laser was used in 89 patients: 25 had pulmonary tuberculosis, 6 tumours, 35 stump inflammation, and 23 other diseases. YAG laser was used in 52 patients: 15 of them had tumours, 21 bronchial tuberculosis, 6 osteochondropathy and 10 other diseases. A good therapeutic result was obtained in most patients but in certain cases (malignant tumours) it was palliative. Special features and technical difficulties encountered during work with different types of lasers in fibroscopy under anesthesia and in fibrobronchoscopy under local narcosis are discussed. No complications were registered. Formation of the so-called "white thrombus" at the site of laser photodestruction was described which required removal during control bronchoscopy.