A morphological study was undertaken to evaluate the acute and late effects of contact mode of Nd; YAG laser on emphysematous pulmonary tissue or pleurae in rats. Pleurae and bullae of elastase treated rats were exposed to contact ND; YAG laser. Pulmonary function tests were carried out by methods of whole body plethysmograph, and after that samples were analyzed by light microscopy. Nd; YAG laser irradiation caused inflammation in alveolar tissue or pleurae immediately after irradiation, and that inflammated layers changed fibrous scar tissue zone that may be effective in preventing the increase of compliance. But on the other hand, new bullous lesions were seen near or beside the fibrous tissue following laser ablation. So in global judgment, a satisfactory result may be anticipated in laser ablated therapy with Nd; YAG laser for the bullous pulmonary disease in elastase treated rats.
