title: Emergency laser vaporization and helium-oxygen administration for acute malignant tracheobronchial obstruction.
abstract: Two patients with malignant airway obstruction and acute respiratory insufficiency were given emergency treatment with yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser tissue vaporization under local anesthesia only. A mixture of oxygen and helium was administered to reduce the respiratory distress. This case emphasizes the rapidity and effectiveness of YAG laser treatment via fiberoptic bronchoscopy under local anesthesia in the management of acute malignant airway obstructions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Center A. De Gasperis, Niguarda Hospital, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torre
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amari
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barbieri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Belloni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000209:etiology; D014134:Tracheal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*