Radical laser segmentectomy for T1 N0 lung cancer.

Over the last 40 months, 18 lung cancer patients with T1 N0 non-small cell lung carcinoma have been treated with radical laser segmentectomy. This innovative operative method consists of a combination of anatomical or nonanatomical segmentectomy by neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet laser parenchyma sparing with complete hilar lymph node dissection. Although the median follow-up period is too short, there is no local recurrence and no cancer deaths. There have been no major complications. Even deep-seated tumors can be resected with a clear safety margin using this method. Radical laser segmentectomy may be a useful adjunct to preserve normal lung tissue and to perform very radical resection.