C Witt1, B Schmidt, J Liebetruth, G Baumann. 1. Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical School (Charité), Humboldt University Berlin, Germany.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN/ MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of Nd:YAG laser on metallic tracheobronchial stents, because Nd:YAG laser could be used for resection of tumourous tissue growing through stent meshes (Strecker-, Palmaz-, Wallstent). STUDY DESIGN/ MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vitro worst-case-model was used to investigate the effects of different types of laser application on metallic stents: non-contact application, and contact application with bare fibres and with hemispherical sapphires. RESULTS: In the non-contact method and with bare fibres stent destruction occurred at power settings exceeding 10 W, whereas in the contact method with hemispherical sapphires power settings of 20 W were possible without stent damage.
STUDY DESIGN/ MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of Nd:YAG laser on metallic tracheobronchial stents, because Nd:YAG laser could be used for resection of tumourous tissue growing through stent meshes (Strecker-, Palmaz-, Wallstent). STUDY DESIGN/ MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vitro worst-case-model was used to investigate the effects of different types of laser application on metallic stents: non-contact application, and contact application with bare fibres and with hemispherical sapphires. RESULTS: In the non-contact method and with bare fibres stent destruction occurred at power settings exceeding 10 W, whereas in the contact method with hemispherical sapphires power settings of 20 W were possible without stent damage.