Laser resistance and clinical a

摘要

Abstract: The protection of endotracheal tubes against laser induced ignition is necessary to enable a safe laser surgery of the upper aerodigestive tract. It was found, that tubes of polymers, like PVC, have a low ignition threshold and even worse evaporate toxic gases when accidentally irradiated by the laser beam. So far, a pure metal tube was described as the safest endotracheal tube. A new compound endotracheal tube build up by a rubber tube surrounded by an ondulated silver foil and a layer of white Merocel$+TM$/-foam, was tested to it's laser stability against the CO$-2$/-laser. The damage threshold of this tube was 3 $MUL 10$+6$/ W/cm$+2$/ and is significantly higher than the damage threshold of the metal tube and far above the power density used for coagulation or ablation of tissue. Beside these experimental results, the contribution contains experiences and preliminary results obtained from a randomized clinical study, in which the new compound tube so far has proven to be ideal in handling and till now has not caused any problems concerning the laser resistance.!8