Guler Karaagac

A New Endoluminal Resection Technique and Device: Resector Balloon

PURPOSE We have developed a new resection technique and designed a special balloon by which resection of endoluminal airway lesions can be safely and successfully done. DESCRIPTION From April to December 2006, 38 interventions were done in 30 patients; endobronchial tumor or granulation tissues were mechanically removed by a catheter by which the balloon was covered with a polyurethane mesh structure. Acute and long-term complications, results, advantages, and disadvantages of this new technique and device were determined. EVALUATION Resection of endobronchial tumors and also control of bleeding and dilatations were successfully performed in 30 patients. CONCLUSIONS As an alternative to other endobronchial treatments, this new technique and device can be used as a safe method. In addition, the utilization of this new device does not need as much experience as other techniques. On the other hand this method does not need very expensive equipment, such as a laser or cryotherapy equipment.

Therapeutic bronchoscopic intervention with resector balloon.

In this study a novel therapeutic bronchoscopic technique, balloon bronchoplasty with resector balloon, was used in 128 procedures for 112 consecutive patients with airway obstruction from lung cancer or granulation tissue. All procedures, except 4, were performed with a rigid bronchoscope under general anesthesia. The remainder were performed with a flexible bronchoscope under local anesthesia. In all procedures, balloon bronchoplasty was the primary method and we achieved 100% success with no major immediate or long-term complications. The technique also facilitated submucosal and distal tumor resection. We found balloon bronchoplasty using resector balloon to be a safe, effective, fast, easy, and potentially cost-effective method in the management of airway obstruction from endobronchial submucosal lesions.