Mechanisms of healing in the injured lung treated with the Nd‐YAG laser

Abstract

An experimental study was done to evaluate the pattern of healing after sealing an incision in the pulmonary parenchyma with the Nd-YAG laser. Gross and histologic examinations of healing were compared with those of lung cauterized or sutured with chronic catgut. The results indicate that the use of the Nd-YAG laser to seal small vessels and air leaks has distinct advantages over cautery or suture closure of incisions in pulmonary tissue.

Effects of Nd:YAG laser irradiation on morphometry and lung function in elastase-induced emphysema in rats

“…What we observed on the peripheral portion was similar to the process of healing. In the past, there have been some reports about the pathological examination of lung parenchyma after laser irradiation [17][18][19]. Although both Cole and Brenner viewed peripheral changes as a side effect of lung injury after irradiation, we hypothesized that dense ne- crotic peripheral alveoli was not merely a side effect, but one of the most conspicuous effects that could bring on normalization of lung compliance.…”

Video-assisted thoracoscopic laser ablation in the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax

“…Moreover, it has been implied that expansion deficiency, which is commonly seen in laser studies, is related to pleural degeneration that results from the contraction of elastic fibers and degeneration of collagen fibers due to the photo thermal effect of the laser. Furthermore, Cole and Wolfe [23] reported extensive fibrosis and alveolar hyperemia as a result of parenchymal coagulation at the Nd:YAG laser ablation sites.…”

Limited lung resection using the potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser

“…The Nd:YAG laser causes an acute laser burn in the lung, resulting in coagulated alveoli and thrombosed blood vessels [8]. At a wavelength of 1,064 nm, the Nd:YAG laser energy is absorbed by cellular protein and affects a relatively large volume of lung tissue; due to its penetration, initial damage occurs approximately 4-5 mm into the Fig.…”