Abstract
Based upon the 184 clinical cases treated with CO2 laser surgery, the clinical merits of laser operation, special necessary techniques, and limitations and future possibilities of the surgical indication of laser were discussed. From our experience with laser therapy, the following conclusions could be drawn.
1) Our operative technique of laser bronchoscopic treatment for thoracic tracheal stenosis is superior to any existing method. It is a “total” indication for that lesion.
2) Laser vaporization or laser excision of benign tumors or other superficial lesions is a “relative” indication, because of the advantages of a bloodless field, minimal damage to surrounding tissue, minimal scaring, and etc.
3) As for the therapy of malignant tumors, no dramatically good results have yet been achieved. The main reason for this is the difficulty in judging if all of the tumor has been vaporized.
In the case of T1S, T1, rT1, the first choice of therapy is single laser treatment. In combination therapy, prior laser debulking increases the effectiveness of radiotherapy. We should remember that for laser to be used successfully, we must consider each treatment case individually, and adjust the therapy or combination of therapies accordingly.
