Abstract
Laser recanalization is now an established mode of therapy in the palliation of oesophageal carcinoma (1–16). Recently, rather than looking at recanalization as an alternative to intubation, both methods have been used in the same patient in order to maximize palliation and minimize complications. A potential hazard of such therapy is ignition of an indwelling tube following accidental exposure to the laser, and this paper examines tha ability of four clinically available prosthetic oesophageal tubes to withstand exposure to laser light.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Fleischer D, Sivak M. Endoscopic Nd YAG laser therapy as palliative treatment for advanced adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia.Gastroenterology 1984,87:815–20
Swain C, Bown S. Laser recanalisation of obstructing forgut cancer.Br J Surg 1984,71:112–5
Mellow M, Pinkas H. Endoscopic therapy for oesophageal carcinoma with the Nd YAG laser. Prospective evaluation of efficacy, complications, and survival.Gastroenterol Endosc 1984,30:334–9
Angorn I. Intubation in the treatment of carcinoma of the oesophagus.World J Surg 1981,5:535–41
Atkinson M, Ferguson R. Fibreoptic endoscopic palliative intubation of inoperable oesophagogastric neoplasms.Br Med J 1977,1:266–7
Carter R, Smith J. Oesophageal Carcinoma. A Comparative study of laser recanalisation versus intubation in the palliation of oesophagogastric carcinoma.Lasers Med Sci 1986,1:245–51
Fleischer D, Kessler F. Endoscopic Nd YAG laser therapy for carcinoma of the oesophagus. A new form of palliative treatment.Gastroenterology 1983,85:600–6
Symonds C. The treatment of malignant stricture of the oesophagus by tubage or permanent catheterism.Br Med J 1987,1:870–3
Geffin B, Shapshay S. Flammability of endotracheal tubes during Nd YAG Application in the airway.Anaesthesiology 1986,65:511–5
Saunders N. The Celestin tube in the palliation of carcinoma of the oesophagus and cardia.Br J Surg 1979,66:419–22
Buset M, Dunham F. Nd YAG laser a new palliative alternative in the management of oesophageal carcinoma.Endoscopy 1983,15:353–6
Bown SG, Hawes R. Endoscopic laser palliation for advanced malignant dysphagia.Gut 1987,28:799–807
Krasner N, Barr H. Palliative laser therapy for malignant dysphagia.Gut 1987,28:792–8
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Carter, R., Smith, J.S. Oesophageal prosthetic ignition following accidental exposure to the Nd/YAG laser—a real or potential hazard. Laser Med Sci 3, 229–232 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02593817
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02593817