3
Views
14
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Article

Indications for Endoscopic Neodymium-YAG Laser Treatment in the Gastrointestinal Tract Twelve Years' Experience

Pages 53-63 | Published online: 08 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Application of clinical endoscopic Nd:YAG laser (γ = 1.06 μm) therapy has been introduced in 1975. It is suitable to stop all kinds of gastrointestinal bleeding with a primary success rate of 94% (1144/1212). Compared to surgical results a reduction in mortality rate has been achieved. These results have been confirmed worldwide in routine clinical application and in controlled trials with selected patients. Potential bleeding lesions such as Osier haemangiomas and angiodysplasias can be sealed. Recanalization of inoperable obstructed oesophageal and gastric carcinoma by laser vaporization to relieve dysphagia and subsequently endoscopic iridium after loading irradiation show a medium survival time of 7.4 months. Preoperative recanalization of obstructed colorectal carcinoma to relieve ileus or subileus allows preoperative peroral bowel lavage and total colonoscopy to find synchronous cancers and polyps and to perform primary resections without intraoperative colon lavage. Sessile benign neoplastic polyps can be resected curatively by Nd: YAG laser vaporization. Recanalization of peptic stenosis and anastomotic scar stenosis can be performed.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.