title: Unilateral thoracoscopic laser pneumoplasty of diffuse bullous emphysema.
abstract: The technical details of thoracoscopic laser pneumoplasty (TLP) by means of a contact neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser is described. Retrospective analysis of 769 unilateral TLPs indicated that the operative risk is acceptable (6% 3-months mortality rate), and significant subjective and objective improvement was achieved. Recurrent bullous emphysema is discussed. TLP is an effective treatment of advanced emphysema.
authors.affiliation: Wakabayashi Institute, Irvine Medical Center, University of California, College of Medicine, Irvine, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wakabayashi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008168:Lung / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate; D013906:Thoracoscopy