General anaesthesia for carbon dioxide laser surgery within the airway. A review.

Carbon dioxide laser surgery in the airway presents the anaesthetist with new problems. The mode of action of carbon dioxide lasers and its effects on anaesthetic agents and equipment are described. Complications, especially of fire hazards in the airway, and methods of avoiding them are set out in detail. Various anaesthetic techniques for both laryngeal and tracheobronchial laser surgery are described.