title: Segmental irradiation of the bladder with neodymium YAG laser irradiation.
abstract: The Neodymium YAG laser energy source can be readily adapted for cystoscopic use by some simple modifications of existing urologic equipment. Both the fiberoptic resectoscope and a deflecting cystourethroscope have been adapted for this purpose. Fixation of the fiber tip 1 cm. from the target and use of a divergent beam of 36 degrees allows the delivery of standardized dosage to a relatively large bladder tissue volume. Animal experiments involving 35 mongrel dogs established that repetitive overlapping doses of 200 joules ech can successfully treat a large area of bladder resulting in a full thickness bladder wall injury. This technique has been used in 4 high risk patients with infiltrating bladder cancer without adverse sequelae. The ability to reliably produce a full thickness lesion may give this modality a therapeutic advantage over conventional cautery techniques especially for the treatment of residual infiltrative carcinoma.
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum; D000818:Animals; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000601:surgery; D003558:Cystoscopy; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000535:Aluminum