ELEVEN CASES OF AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION DUE TO RECURRED ESOPHAGEAL CANCER TREATED WITH ND-YAG LASER

Abstract

Eleven patients with tracheobronchial stenosis due to a recurrent malignant tumor following resection of an esophageal cancer were treated with neodymium-ytrrium-aluminium-garnet laser (Nd-YAG laser). Intermittent irradiation of Nd-YAG laser was done for 0.5 second at 20-30 Watt through a flexible bronchoscope under local anesthesia. After the recanalization of the airway, the laser therapy was repeated 2 to 16 times for every 14 to 21 days to avoid the recurrence of airway obstruction. The average survival time from the start of the laser therapy was 138 days and the median survival time was 83 days. The direct response for tumor size detected by CT-SCAN was not recognized but dyspnea of the patients was dramatically improved by the therapy. It is concluded that the endoscopic Nd-YAG laser therapy is useful in respiratory emergency for airway obstruction by recurrent malignant tumor after resection of esophageal cancer.