[Treatment of tracheobronchial lesions with Laser Yag]

Various tracheobronchial obstruction indications have been treated with laser yag neodyme with flexible fibre introduced into a bronchofibroscope. Experience covers 44 patients who underwent 75 photocoagulation sessions under local or general anaesthesia. Inoperable tracheo-bronchial tumours are the most frequent and spectacular indications. Malignant tumour, cylindromas, carcinomas and benign tumours are the best indications. Tracheal stenoses were treated in association with instrumental dilatation. The other indications proposed are resections of granulomas, resection of suture threads, extraction of peripheral foreign bodies and control of major haemorrhages. No complications were observed. The immediate effectiveness of this new technique is considerable. Long-term development depends on the aetiology of tracheobronchial stenosis.