[Electrocautery snare is combined with CO₂ cryosurgery and argon plasma coagulation for the treatment of airway tumors and granulomas].

BACKGROUND

To observe the clinical effects and safety of endobronchial electrocautery snare combined with CO₂ cryosurgery for the treatment of tracheobronchial obstructive lesions.

METHODS

Seventy-seven patients with airway tumor or granuloma were retrospectively reviewed, including 70 malignant airway obstruction and 7 benign airway lesions, for the treatment of endobronchial electrocautery snare plus CO₂ cryosurgery and argon plasma coagulation (APC).

RESULTS

Eighty-five endobronchial snares were performed in 77 cases. 42.9% of the obstructive lesions were located in right bronchial orifice, 38.3% in main trachea 21.4% in left bronchial orifice. 89.7% of the malignant tumor was mixed type of lesions (endobronchial plus bronchial or external bronchial), only 10.3% was endobronchial. Obstructive stenosis was significant relieved after snare (80% before vs 20% after, P<0.01) in all patients. Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) and shortbreath score were obviously improved after snare. There was no severe complications related to the procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Endobronchial electrocautery snare is an effective and safe approach for tracheobronchial obstructions with few complications.