One hundred consecutive treatments with holmium: YAG laser for pulmonary bullae: Especially in conjunction with gelatin-resorcinol formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde glue adhesion

Background and Objective: We have widely used a Ho:YAG laser to treat bulla e thoracoscopically. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Bullae with broad necks were treated wi th a Ho:YAG laser thoracoscopically. Because one patient relapsed after app lication of fibrin glue in the early period, a DEXON (TM) (polyglycolic aci d) mesh patch soaked in fibrin glue was used through a 2-cm opening in the subsequent cases. Lastly, gelatin-resorcinol formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde (G RFG) glue was applied through a 5-mm opening instead of a DEXON (TM) mesh a fter coagulation. Results: In the 38 patients patched with DEXON (TM) mesh soaked in fibrin g lue and 56 patched with GRFG glue after coagulation, none relapsed. Conclusion: Combined uses of fibrin glue plus DEXON (TM) mesh or GRFG glue were effective when bullae were treated with the Ho:YAG laser. However, the wound was smaller and more cosmetic in the GRFG glue group than in the DEX ON (TM) mesh plus fibrin glue group. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.