抄録
We treated 82 patients by thoracoscopic surgery from May 1991 to August 1994 in Keio University Hospital. The patients were 59 males and 26 females and the age was ranged from 15 years old to 79 years old, with mean age of 37 years old. Thoracoscopic laser treatment was mainly used for spontaneous pneumothorax with multiple small bullae. Initially we used Nd: YAG laser for spontaneous pneumothorax but we experienced ruptur of the irradiated bulla. Now we used CO2 laser because CO2 laser coagulates only 0.2-0.5mm in the depth. The power level used in the treatment ranged from 5 to 10 watts, irradiated by continuous waves. CO2 laser thoracoscopy is effective and safe in treating spontaneous pneumothorax with multiple small bullae.
