Primary experience of video-assisted rigid laser bronchoscopy in treatment of tracheobronchial tumors

To review the primary experience of video-assisted rigid laser bronchoscopy in the treatment of tracheobronchial tumors.Methods From Sep.2002 to Nov.2004,13 patients (15 procedures) with tracheobronchial tumors were treated with video-assisted rigid bronchoscope.Benign tumors with small pedicles were removed directly.For benign tumors with wide pedicles or tumors extending beyond the wall of air-way,total enucleating through thoracotomy were employed.In cases with malignant tumors,stenosis or obstructions were relieved by implantation of stent or cautering with electric argoulaser knife.For malignant but resectable primary tumors of trachea and main bronchi,rigid bronchoscopy might serve as a preparation of radical resection.Results Of the 5 patients with benign tumors,4 received endoscopic total resection and 1 were conversed into thoracotomy.For the 8 malignant cases,3 received stent implantation,2 had palliative ablation 3 got curative resections through thoracotomy.No peri-operative complications or death occurred in this group.Conclusion Total resection of benign tracheobronchial tumors or palliative therapy for tracheobronchial malignant stenosis or preparation of radical resection can be performed safely and efficiently by video-assisted rigid bronchoscopy.5 refs.