[Efficacy of bronchoscopic Nd:YAG laser therapy for laryngotracheal stenoses after long-term intubation]. / Zur Effizienz der bronchoskopischen Nd:YAG-Lasertherapie für laryngotracheale Stenosen nach Langzeitintubation.

ABSTRACT

From 1987 to 1993, 38 patients with laryngotracheal stenosis due to prolonged intubation were treated with the NdYAG-laser. A total of 45 stenoses were identified and classified according to endoscopic assessment. Patients who had an asymptomatic airway for at least 8 months and did not require further intervention were considered treatment successes. The best results were found in the diaphragmas and granulomas (86% and 65%), in stenoses less than 1 cm in length (61%) and in cases with less than 70% obstruction of the tracheal lumen (61%).