title: Thoracoscopic Nd:YAG laser resection of a solitary pulmonary nodule.
abstract: Advances in endoscopic surgical techniques and laser technology have expanded the role of thoracoscopy. We report a thoracoscopic resection of a benign pulmonary lesion. A 44-year-old man underwent a successful Nd:YAG laser-assisted thoracoscopic resection of a peripheral lung hamartoma. The patient's postoperative course was uncomplicated. Thoracotomy with its attendant morbidity was avoided. Continued success with thoracoscopic resection will have a significant impact on the management of select patients with peripheral, solitary pulmonary nodules.
authors.affiliation: Section of Thoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Dowling
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Landreneau
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Wachs
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Ferson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009354:Neodymium; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000601:surgery*; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D015019:Yttrium
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D009354:Neodymium; D015019:Yttrium