title: Laser resection technique and results of multiple lung metastasectomies using a new 1,318 nm Nd:YAG laser system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Advantages of a new 1,318 nm Nd:YAG laser based on multiple lung metastasectomies are shown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-three percent of 328 patients with metastases (8/patient, range 1-124) had precision laser resections (lobectomy-rate reduced to 7%); this laser delivers 20 kW/cm(2) 1,318 nm power densities with 400 microm fibers, and a focussing handpiece. Absorption in water is tenfold higher.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Between 1/1996 and 12/2003 in 328 patients (164 males/females, 61 years) 3,267 nodules were removed. Pathologic examination revealed 2,546 metastases (range 3-80 mm) from kidney (n = 112), colorectal (n = 91), and breast cancers (n = 35). In 85% of patients where the complete resection was achieved the 5-year survival was 41%. For remaining 15% (incomplete resection) the 5-year survival was 7%. Five-year survival for patients with 10 (and more) metastases was 28%, for patients with 20 (and more) was 26%. No 30-day mortality was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new laser system facilitates any kind of parenchymal lung resection in lobe-sparing manner and in case of complete resection improves significantly the survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Centre of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery, Coswig Specialised Hospital, D-01640 Coswig/Dresden, Germany. dr.rolle@fachkrankenhaus-coswig.de
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rolle
authors.forename: Arpad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pereszlenyi
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bis
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome