[YAG laser therapy of central airway stenosis].

Endoscopic Nd-YAG laser therapies were performed in 11 cases of central airway stenosis. There were 5 cases of malignant tumor and 6 cases of benign disease. Three cases underwent emergency procedure, and all cases got benefit. In 2 cases they were performed for preoperative preparation, and effective in all cases. In 6 cases with benign stenosis they were performed for airway dilation, and effective in 2 cases, non-effective in 3, and could be evaluated in one. We concluded that endoscopic Nd-YAG laser irradiation was effective for emergency procedure and preoperative preparation. Non-effective cases were 2 cases of post-bronchoplasty and 1 case of post Lineac irradiation. And there was no indication of Nd-YAG therapy in the lesions developing longitudinally for long distance and with deformities of cartilaginous ring, and those without information of distal airway from stenosis.