Mechanisms of healing in the injured lung treated with the Nd‐YAG laser

Abstract
An experimental study was done to evaluate the pattern of healing after sealing an incision in the pulmonary parenchyma with the Nd-YAG laser. Gross and histologic examinations of healing were compared with those of lung cauterized or sutured with chromic catgut. The results indicate that the use of the Nd-YAG laser to seal small vessels and air leaks has distinct advantages over cautery or suture closure of incisions in pulmonary tissue.