Experience in limited lung resection with the use of laser.

This presentation concerns 100 patients undergoing limited lung resection with the use of the noncontact mode of the YAG laser: 55 (Group 1) had local excision of intrapulmonary nodular lesions--the pathology of which was, primary malignant tumor (N = 22), secondary tumor (N = 15), inflammatory and benign tumors (N = 18); 45 other patients (Group 2) had wedge and segmental resection for a variety of malignant and inflammatory conditions. In Group 1 the excision was entirely by laser, but in Group 2 laser was used in conjunction with conventional surgery. There was no hospital death or postoperative complications. We conclude: a) some forms of local pulmonary excision are best carried out by laser; b) there is a greater preservation of pulmonary tissue and wider safety margin when local excision is performed using the laser.