[The CO2 laser in the surgical treatment of suppurative processes in the lungs]

Operations were carried out on 58 patients with suppurative processes in the lungs. The authors worked out a method of thoracotomy by means of a laser with layer-by-layer division of the muscles during compression with special clamps, as well as a method of economical resection consisting in cutting the pulmonary tissue with a laser scalpel, electrocoagulation of small vessels, and stitching through the large vessels and bronchi with a suturing instrument. The use of a CO2 laser in operations for suppurative processes in the lungs makes it possible to conduct economical operations and reduce the number of complications.