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 bullae thoracoscopically. Study Design/Materials and Methods Bullae with broad necks were treated with a Ho:YAG laser thoracoscopically. Because one patient relapsed after application of fibrin glue in the early period, a DEXON™ (polyglycolic acid) mesh patch soaked in fibrin glue was used through a 2-cm opening in the subsequent cases. Lastly, gelatin-resorcinol formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde (GRFG) glue was applied through a 5-mm opening instead of a DEXON™ mesh after coagulation. Results In the 38 patients patched with DEXON™ mesh soaked in fibrin glue and 56 patched with GRFG glue after coagulation, none relapsed. Conclusion Combined uses of fibrin glue plus DEXON™ 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 DEXON™ mesh plus fibrin glue group. Lasers Surg. Med. 28:255–258, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.