Laser applications in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery

Lasers are increasingly being used in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. This general review discusses the use of carbon dioxide lasers for myocardial revascularization in animal studies, a report of a single clinical experience with laser revascularization of the heart, laser debridement of the gangrenous lesions of an ischemic extremity, and use of the laser for excision of chest wall tumors. Work is also being done using lasers in vaporization of atherosclerotic plaques, photoradiation therapy of bronchogenic carcinoma with hematoporphyrin derivative, and photoresection therapy of obstructive lesions of the bronchus and trachea.