Study design/materials and methods: The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of Nd:YAG laser on metallic tracheobronchial stents, because Nd:YAG laser could be used for resection of tumourous tissue growing through stent meshes (Strecker-, Palmaz-, Wallstent).
Study design/materials and methods: An in vitro worst-case-model was used to investigate the effects of different types of laser application on metallic stents: non-contact application, and contact application with bare fibres and with hemispherical sapphires.
Results: In the non-contact method and with bare fibres stent destruction occurred at power settings exceeding 10 W, whereas in the contact method with hemispherical sapphires power settings of 20 W were possible without stent damage.