Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “CAUTERY”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Electrocautery of the tract after needle biopsy of the liver to reduce blood loss. Experience in the canine model.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Bleeding is the most common complication of needle biopsy of the liver. This study was designed to assess the feasibility of using unipolar electrocautery to decrease bleeding. METHODS: Under general anesthesia, the livers of eight dogs were surgically exposed. A mean of 15 biopsies was obtained with 18-gauge needles from each liver by alternating biopsies without and with electrocautery. Cautery was performed by applying radiofrequency energy at 25 watts (6 animals) or 125 watts (2 animals) to the needle as the needle was withdrawn from the liver. Blood loss was measured by applying preweighed sponges to the biopsy site, then reweighing them after use. Biopsy specimens were examined by light microscopy. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) blood loss was 0.44 g (+/- 1.36 g) with electrocautery and 1.47 g (+/- 2.23 g) without electrocautery (P < .01). No thermal injury was noted in the biopsy specimens when cautery was applied at 25 watts. CONCLUSIONS: The application of radiofrequency current to the biopsy needle after liver biopsy is a feasible and effective method to reduce blood loss in our canine model.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effectiveness of surgical management of epistaxis at a tertiary care center.

A retrospective review is presented of 44 consecutive patients requiring hospitalization for epistaxis at a tertiary care center. The study had the following objectives: 1. to identify predictors of surgical treatment, and 2. to compare the effectiveness of different surgical treatments. Length of stay, complications, and cost analysis are also presented. Eighteen patients were successfully treated nonsurgically, whereas 26 patients received surgical treatment. Posterior epistaxis (P<0.05) and an admission hematocrit less than 38% (P<0.05) were significant predictors of surgical treatment. The rebleed rate after first surgical therapy was 33% for embolization, 33% for endoscopic cautery, and 20% for ligation. Since embolization, ligation, and endoscopic cautery may have nearly equivalent failure rates, other factors, such as cost and institutional expertise, should guide the selection of surgical treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Perioperative adenotonsillectomy management in children: current practices.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the current practices of preoperative evaluation, surgical techniques, and postoperative treatment of pediatric adenotonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-one-item survey measuring the frequency of different evaluations, procedures, and treatments performed, including selected case scenarios, with all items scored on a five-point ordinal scale ranking frequency. METHODS: The entire membership of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) and active fellows and members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) residing in New York state were anonymously surveyed through mail-in questionnaires. RESULTS: History alone was the most frequent modality for diagnosing both adenoid enlargement and obstructive sleep apnea. The most common preoperative laboratory test ordered before an adenotonsillectomy is a complete blood cell count; ASPO members ordered fewer preoperative laboratory tests than AAO-HNS members. Unipolar cautery is the most frequently used tonsillectomy technique, and curettage followed by cautery is the most popular adenoidectomy technique. Steroids are the most common intraoperative medication administered during an adenotonsillectomy, and office visits remain the most frequently used methods of assessing adenotonsillectomy patients postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are statistically significant trends uncovered by the survey, the results reflect a lack of consensus regarding adenotonsillectomy management. Further randomized controlled trials or large-scale outcomes projects are much needed to evaluate critically the current practices of pediatric adenotonsillectomies. Additional efforts may also be required to use the information from these studies in effecting changes in actual practice patterns, moving us toward a more evidence-based paradigm of treating pediatric adenotonsillar disease.

Adenoidectomy↗
PubMed1998

Lacrimal occlusion therapy for the treatment of superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis.

Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) is a chronic and recalcitrant disease of the superior bulbar and tarsal conjunctiva, as well as the superior limbic aspect of the cornea. Both the etiology and the pathogenesis of this condition are poorly understood. Many treatment options have been advocated in the management of SLK, including: topical antibiotics, topical anti-inflammatory agents, topical vitamin A solutions, chemical cautery, thermal cautery, and surgical resection. Most recently, studies have suggested that lacrimal occlusion therapy may be beneficial in the treatment of SLK. A case is presented in which this method of treatment was used, with excellent results. The implications of this report suggest that the use of lacrimal occlusion in the management of SLK may be a viable treatment option before considering more radical and invasive therapy. In addition, this case helps to illustrate the significant link between SLK and thyroid disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A modified posterior approach for upper eyelid retraction.

PURPOSE: To describe and review a graded technique for lowering the upper eyelid from a posterior approach, recessing or resecting Müller muscle and levator aponeurosis but leaving a central pillar of Müller muscle intact, occasionally including a temporal tarsorrhaphy or superior tarsal strip where needed, and performing tissue dissection with a hot-wire cautery instrument. METHODS: A 10-year retrospective chart review was performed. Where follow-up was less than 6 months, telephone interviews were conducted to assess patient satisfaction with the procedure. Statistical analysis was performed using an unpaired t test. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients (161 eyelids, 62 bilateral and 37 unilateral) with a mean age of 47 years (range, 21-82 years) were studied. The mean follow-up period was 61 months. The mean preoperative and postoperative margin reflex distances (MRD1) were 7.3 mm (range, 4.5-10 mm) and 4.3 mm (range, 2-7 mm), respectively. Eighty-nine percent (144/161 eyelids) achieved the target result of an MRD1 of 4 +/- 1 mm after one procedure. Fifteen eyelids (9% of operated eyelids) required a second procedure, and in this group, 2 (13% of the reoperated eyelids) underwent a third procedure. Although bilateral cases were more likely to achieve symmetry (p = 0.0071), 90% of either unilateral or bilateral cases achieved a postoperative MRD1 of 4 +/- 1 mm. Both mild (MRD1 of 5-7 mm) and severe (MRD1 > 7 mm) cases of eyelid retraction achieved similar operative outcomes. In the first 6 months after surgery, complications included undercorrection (8 eyelids), overcorrection (2 eyelids), and pyogenic granuloma (2 eyelids). None had a flattened upper eyelid contour. Late recurrence of retraction was seen in 9 eyelids. Mean operative time was 16 minutes per eyelid. CONCLUSIONS: This technique of lowering the retracted upper eyelid is effective even in severe cases of eyelid retraction. Minimal complications were encountered, and upper eyelid contours were well preserved. The use of hot-wire cautery dissection proved useful in shortening operative time.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Partial nephrectomy with fibrin glue repair: measurement of vascular and pelvicaliceal hydrodynamic bond integrity in a live and abbatoir porcine model.

PURPOSE: Some of the challenges during partial nephrectomy include control of bleeding and repair of the pelvicaliceal system. Fibrin tissue sealants have recently been used to achieve hemostasis and collecting system closure in open and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. However, there exist little data regarding the intrinsic strength of the bond, especially when applied to the vasculature and the urinary collecting system of the transected kidney. We examined the hydrodynamic bond integrity of a commercially available fibrin tissue sealant in a live porcine animal model undergoing partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Open partial nephrectomy was performed in 19 porcine renal units. Collecting system entry was confirmed by methylene blue instillation into the proximal ureter. Fibrin tissue sealant was used to repair 16 renal units, that is 8 kidneys hardened in vivo for 10 minutes and 8 hardened in vivo for 60 minutes. In an additional 3 renal units monopolar electrocautery was used to achieve hemostasis (no fibrin glue used). The strength of vasculature repair was performed by infusing saline into the renal artery (renal vein ligated) and measuring pressure at bond rupture. Similarly the integrity of pelvicaliceal repair was evaluated by retrograde infusion of saline into the collecting system via the proximal ureter and measurement of pressure at bond rupture. RESULTS: Fibrin tissue sealant was successful in achieving prompt hemostasis and it was subjectively superior to cautery alone with regard to bleeding control. Mean renal vascular and pelvicaliceal burst pressure for fibrin sealant treated kidneys was 378 (median 420) and 166 mm Hg (median 170), respectively. There was no significant difference in 10 vs 60-minute hardening times in treated kidneys. In comparison, vascular and pelvicaliceal burst pressure for nontreated (cautery alone) kidneys was 230 (median 220) and 87 mm Hg (median 90), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Commercially available fibrin tissue sealants can provide supraphysiological renal parenchyma and collecting system sealing pressures after partial nephrectomy. This information supports the potential use of fibrin sealants during open and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2005

Application of novel hemostatic agent during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: We determined if QuikClot, a novel hemostatic agent made of a granulated mineral substance, could be used to control renal parenchymal bleeding and collecting system leakage during open and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After obtaining renal hilar vascular control 2 domestic female pigs underwent bilateral open and 4 underwent unilateral laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. After excision of the lower pole without cautery the hemostatic agent was applied to the cut surface of the kidney and hilar vascular control was released. Additional QuikClot was added until complete hemostasis was achieved. One week postoperatively the animals were sacrificed and the operated kidneys were harvested for ex vivo retrograde pyelograms and histopathological analysis. RESULTS: All partial nephrectomies were performed without complication. Mean operative and warm ischemia times were 62 and 16 minutes, respectively. An average of 23% of renal mass by weight was resected with a mean blood loss of 73 ml per procedure. No cautery, additional hemostatic agents or techniques were used. No animal had clinical or radiographic evidence of urinoma or delayed hemorrhage. Histopathological analysis showed preservation of the renal parenchyma immediately beneath the QuikClot layer. CONCLUSIONS: In the porcine model QuikClot allowed the resection of large renal segments, while providing reliable hemostasis and closure of the renal collecting system. No deleterious effect on underlying renal parenchyma or surrounding tissues was observed.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Microdebrider decompression of schwannoma: a novel method of excising a neck mass.

OBJECTIVE: This case report describes the excision of a large neck neurofibroma causing compression of the esophagus and airway in a young patient with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). At the conclusion of this article, readers should be able to describe a novel method of excising large encapsulated neck masses using microdebridement for decompression. The safety and efficacy of this method is discussed. STUDY DESIGN: The subject of this report was a 26-year-old woman with NF2. She presented with an enlarging right neck mass extending from the mandible to the clavicle that was compressing both her airway and esophagus. Given her auditory brainstem implant, unipolar cautery was contraindicated. Therefore, it was planned to decompress the patient's neck mass using a microdebrider before attempting to fully dissect out the mass. METHODS: The neck mass was exposed and then entered. Using a Xomed XPS microdebrider (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN), the mass was debrided and debulked in all directions taking care not to violate the capsule. After this, the entire capsule was dissected out using only bipolar cautery and suture ligatures for hemostasis. RESULTS: Microdebrider decompression of the neck neurofibroma allowed for preservation of the capsule without injuring vital structures in the neck. Postoperatively, the patient's swallowing and laryngeal function improved markedly. CONCLUSION: Microdebrider debulking before dissection of the patient's large neck mass safely relieved compression of the airway and esophagus. This method may be applied to other large benign masses in the neck as well.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Therapy of basal cell carcinoma--treatment in 1980-81 compared with 1985-86 and advantages of shave excision for smaller tumours.

A survey of basal cell carcinoma treatments in two 12-month periods, 1980-81 and 1985-86, revealed that more tumours and an older age group of patients were presenting to the Lancaster dermatology department in the latter period. Whereas the most frequent surgical treatment in 1980-81 was curettage and cautery, shave excision and cautery was the treatment of choice in 1985-86. Shave excision is quick, easy to perform and gives good specimens for histological assessment. The method is suitable for smaller tumours but not for more difficult tumours or tumours in difficult sites.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A new approach to the management of acute epistaxis.

A new approach to the management of acute epistaxis is described using suction with the operating microscope to define the bleeding point prior to the application of hot wire cautery. This technique was shown to be completely successful in stopping haemorrhage in 82% of acute referrals in a prospective series of 33 patients. It resulted in a significant reduction both in the use of nasal packing and in the length of hospital stay compared with a group of controls treated by traditional means. It is proposed that in most cases of acute epistaxis the bleeding point is accessible to cautery and nasal packing should be reserved for a minority of refractory cases. This avoids unnecessary patient discomfort and the complications of prolonged nasal packing and hospitalization.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Laser treatment of rhinitis--1 year follow-up.

Laser cautery of the inferior turbinates for the treatment of rhinitis has been shown to be as effective as sub-mucosal diathermy in the short-term and to produce less morbidity. However, the long-term effects are unknown. A cohort of patients who were treated by either of these methods were reviewed 1 year after treatment. Subjective and objective measurements of airway obstruction were performed using a linear analogue scale and a nasal peak inspiratory flowmeter. The results obtained were compared with those recorded pre-operatively, 3 days post-operatively and 6 days post-operatively. In contrast to the results of sub-mucous diathermy of the inferior turbinates for the treatment of rhinitis, the reduction in subjective nasal airway obstruction obtained by laser cautery to the inferior turbinates is maintained 1 year after surgery. Neither method of turbinate reduction was associated with a sustained objective improvement in nasal airway patency as measured by peak nasal inspiratory flow rate determinations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Pyogenic granuloma (lobular capillary hemangioma): a clinicopathologic study of 178 cases.

Pyogenic granuloma (lobular capillary hemangioma) is a common acquired vascular lesion of the skin and mucous membranes in the pediatric age group. This is a retrospective analysis of 178 patients, 17 years of age and younger (mean age 6.7 yrs). Forty-two percent of the lesions occurred in the first five years of life; only 12% appeared in infants less than 1 year old. The male:female ratio was 3:2. Most patients (74.2%) had no history of trauma or predisposing dermatologic condition. The mean lesional size was 6.5 mm and the mean duration at diagnosis was 3.8 months. The granulomas were most commonly located in the head and neck area (62.4%), followed in order of decreasing frequency by trunk (19.7%), upper extremity (12.9%), and lower extremity (5.0%). The preponderance (88.2%) occurred on the skin, the remaining ones involved the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and conjunctivae. Histologic examination demonstrated normal numbers of mast cells, in contrast to increased mast cells characteristic of proliferative phase hemangiomas. Most lesions (n = 149) were treated by full-thickness skin excision and linear closure; there were no recurrences in this group. The recurrence rate in 23 lesions treated by shave (intradermal) excision and cautery or cautery alone was 43.5%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Efficacy of pressure topical anaesthesia in punctal occlusion by diathermy.

AIMS: To prospectively compare the efficacy and safety of pressure topical anaesthesia in punctal occlusion by using cautery in the treatment of dry eye syndrome (DES) with that of conventional treatment by using needle injection of anaesthetic agents. METHODS: In a randomised controlled trial, 18 consecutive adult patients with DES requiring punctal occlusion were recruited over a 10 month period. Consenting patients were randomised into two groups. Group A patients received pressure topical anaesthesia in the right eye followed by injection anaesthesia in the left eye. Group B was vice versa. Punctal occlusion using cautery was performed in each eye after a specified time following the application of anaesthesia. The main outcome measures were the pain experienced during application of anaesthesia and that during punctal occlusion. RESULTS: 36 eyes of 18 patients were randomised to receive injection anaesthesia in one eye and pressure topical anaesthesia in the other. Nine patients (nine females) were in group A and nine patients (seven females, two males) in group B. The mean age of group A patients was 45.3 (SD 13.5) years, and that of group B patients was 55.6 (12.6) years. The two groups were comparable in terms of mean age (p=0.117) and mean pain score for pressure topical anaesthesia application (p=0.612), injection anaesthesia application (p=0.454), diathermy in pressure anaesthetised eyes (p=0.113), and diathermy in injection anaesthetised eyes (p=0.289). Paired t test was used to compare the mean pain score for pressure topical anaesthesia application (16.8 (24.8)) with those for injection anaesthesia application (56.7 (30.0)). 18 eyes of 18 patients were compared with the fellow eye of the same 18 patients. The mean pain score for injection anaesthesia was greater than for pressure topical anaesthesia application (p<0.0001) (statistical power=0.87). No statistically significant difference was found in the mean pain score for diathermy for eyes that received pressure topical anaesthesia (20.5 (27.5)) compared with eyes that received injection anaesthesia (23.1 (26.3)) (p=0.760) (statistical power=0.96). All 18 patients preferred pressure topical anaesthesia to injection anaesthesia. CONCLUSION: Injection anaesthesia for punctal occlusion is more painful than pressure topical anaesthesia application. However, the pain experienced during diathermy application for punctal occlusion is similar between pressure anaesthetised eyes and injection anaesthetised eyes. Pressure topical anaesthesia is a less painful (in terms of anaesthesia application) but equally effective alternative to conventional injection anaesthesia when used for punctal occlusion.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Transurethral vaporization-resection of the prostate versus standard transurethral prostatectomy: comparative changes in histopathological features of the resected specimens.

OBJECTIVES: Transurethral vaporization resection of the prostate (TUVRP) is a recent modification of the standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). TUVRP uses a band electrode coupled to a high electrocuting energy to achieve simultaneous resection, vaporization and coagulation of the prostate. We evaluated the histopathological resection specimens of patients treated with TUVRP to see whether the higher energy used will result in thermal artifacts that will interfere with the pathological evaluation of the prostate, and compared the results to TURP specimens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The histopathological specimens of 50 patients that underwent TUVRP or TURP were reviewed. Artifactual pathological patterns that were identified in the specimens included: abnormal cellular orientation and spindling, artifactual cellular detachment from the underlying basement membrane, atypical cytological changes or areas of stromal coagulative necrosis. Each identified pattern was awarded 1 point. The severity of cautery artifact was graded into mild, moderate or severe according to the sum of points in each specimen. RESULTS: Mild cautery artifact changes were noted in 1 patient who underwent TURP. Moderate changes were noted in 21 patients in each TURP and TUVRP groups while severe changes were noted in 4 and 3 patients undergoing TUVRP and TURP respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to the severity of the cauterization- induced changes. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of histopathological specimens produced by TUVRP is similar to the standard TURP. It seems that the higher energy use in electrovaporization technique does not result in greater thermal injury to the tissues possibly because of the cooling effect of the irrigation fluids used intraoperatively.

Artifacts↗
PubMed1990

Electrocautery in polycystic ovary syndrome.

The serum levels of bioactive luteinizing hormone (LH), immunoreactive LH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone were determined in eleven anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) before and after laparoscopic ovarian cautery. Before treatment, the mean +/- SEM levels of bioactive and immunoreactive LH and testosterone were 53.1 +/- 7.9 mIU/ml, 35.2 +/- 3.9 mIU/ml, and 1.14 +/- 0.13 ng/ml, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of five control women (19.2 +/- 1.6 mIU/ml, 21.4 +/- 1.2 mIU/ml, 0.28 +/- 0.03 ng/ml). After treatment, the mean levels of these hormones decreased significantly, ten women ovulated spontaneously and four conceived. The present results suggests that decreases in the levels of these hormones by laparoscopic ovarian cautery in women with PCOS may result in both restoration of the ovulatory cycle and the achievement of pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Vasectomy surgical techniques: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: A wide variety of surgical techniques are used to perform vasectomy. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess if any surgical techniques to isolate or occlude the vas are associated with better outcomes in terms of occlusive and contraceptive effectiveness, and complications. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE (1966-June 2003), EMBASE (1980-June 2003), reference lists of retrieved articles, urology textbooks, and our own files looking for studies comparing two or more vasectomy surgical techniques and reporting on effectiveness and complications. From 2,058 titles or abstracts, two independent reviewers identified 224 as potentially relevant. Full reports of 219 articles were retrieved and final selection was made by the same two independent reviewers using the same criteria as for the initial selection. Discrepancies were resolved by involving a third reviewer. Data were extracted and methodological quality of selected studies was assessed by two independent reviewers. Studies were divided in broad categories (isolation, occlusion, and combined isolation and occlusion techniques) and sub-categories of specific surgical techniques performed. Qualitative analyses and syntheses were done. RESULTS: Of 31 comparative studies (37 articles), only four were randomized clinical trials, most studies were observational and retrospective. Overall methodological quality was low. From nine studies on vas isolation, there is good evidence that the no-scalpel vasectomy approach decreases the risk of surgical complications, namely hematoma/bleeding and infection, compared with incisional techniques. Five comparative studies including one high quality randomized clinical trial provided good evidence that fascial interposition (FI) increases the occlusive effectiveness of ligation and excision. Results of 11 comparative studies suggest that FI with cautery of the vas lumen provides the highest level of occlusive effectiveness, even when leaving the testicular end open. Otherwise, firm evidence to support any occlusion technique in terms of increased effectiveness or decreased risk of complications is lacking. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence supports no-scalpel vasectomy as the safest surgical approach to isolate the vas when performing vasectomy. Adding FI increases effectiveness beyond ligation and excision alone. Occlusive effectiveness appears to be further improved by combining FI with cautery. Methodologically sound prospective controlled studies should be conducted to evaluate specific occlusion techniques further.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

Inhibin concentrations in ovarian and jugular venous plasma and the relationship of inhibin with follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone during the ovine estrous cycle.

A heterologous RIA for ovine inhibin was developed which was sufficiently sensitive and specific to describe the peripheral concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin (iINH) during the estrous cycle of the ewe and to examine the effects of cautery of ovarian follicles on concentrations of iINH in ovarian and jugular venous plasma. Parallel logit-log dose-response lines were observed among ovine follicular fluid, ewe plasma, and pure native ovine (31 kDa) and bovine (31 kDa) inhibin. iINH could not be detected in ovariectomized ewe plasma, and there was no apparent cross-reactivity with a variety of structurally related and unrelated hormones and peptides, except a monomeric form of the alpha-subunit of INH, iINH in follicular fluid was 10(4)-fold higher than that in ovarian venous plasma, which was 3-fold higher than that in peripheral plasma. Cautery of the follicles resulted in a 35% reduction in iINH and an 81% reduction in estrogen concentrations in the ovarian vein within 10 min. During the estrous cycle, iINH and FSH were inversely related in samples taken over 30 h in the luteal phase (r = -0.69; P less than 0.001) and in the pre- and postovulatory phases (r = -0.45; P less than 0.001). iINH and LH were not related in the luteal phase, but were weakly positively correlated in the follicular phase (r = 0.31; P less than 0.01). iINH and estrogen concentrations in the follicular phase were also weakly correlated (r = 0.30; P less than 0.001). Furthermore, iINH concentrations rose in the follicular phase and decreased within 3-6 h of the preovulatory surges of LH and FSH, reaching a nadir around the time of the second rise in FSH 24-48 h later. It is concluded that 1) large antral follicles are a major source of peripheral iINH during the ovine estrous cycle; 2) iINH levels increase in the follicular phase with the growth of the dominant follicle and may be inhibited by the preovulatory surge of gonadotropin; 3) the fall in inhibin after the LH surge may be responsible for the second rise in FSH; and 4) the inverse relationship between FSH and iINH is consistent with the hypothesis that inhibin is involved in the feedback regulation of FSH.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Endobronchial electrocautery.

Endobronchial electrocautery is a tool with diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the management of obstructing endobronchial disease. We have performed cautery procedures in 18 patients. Of these 18, five patients had benign diagnoses and 13 had malignancies. All patients with benign lesions had only endobronchial resections and four have done well. Four procedures resulted in the establishment of a diagnosis which had eluded other biopsy techniques. In 11 patients with malignant disease, electrocautery was used for palliation of airway obstruction, and in two patients, the snare was used as a biopsy technique. There have been no complications while utilizing the snare; however, application of electrocautery probes was associated with two complications. Our experience demonstrates the value and safety of using cautery wire snares to diagnose and treat endobronchial lesions.

Bronchial Diseases↗