[Thoracoscopic partial resection of the lung by use of Nd-YAG laser and standard suturing technique]

The patient was a 62-year-old woman who was referred to our department for bilateral diffuse abnormal shadows along with a sigmoid colon cancer that had been resected one month previously. Thoracoscopic partial resection of the left S8 region was performed. Nd-YAG laser with a contact tip was used for the resection. Hemostasis at the bed of the resection was assured by applying a free laser beam to oozing and non-coagulated surface. Additionally, the resected end was closed by standard continuous double over-and-over sutures in order to minimize the air leakage. Endo-Bulldog clamp facilitated the operation, minimizing hemorrhage from the resected end. This device can clamp any part of the lung and save one percutaneous puncture site necessary for thoracoscopic procedures. Postoperative course was uneventful. Pathological diagnosis was reported as an alveolar cell carcinoma of the lung.