Oesophageal prosthetic ignition following accidental exposure to the Nd/YAG laser—a real or potential hazard

Abstract

Laser recanalization is now an established mode of therapy in the palliation of oesophageal carcinoma (1–16). Recently, rather than looking at recanalization as an alternative to intubation, both methods have been used in the same patient in order to maximize palliation and minimize complications. A potential hazard of such therapy is ignition of an indwelling tube following accidental exposure to the laser, and this paper examines tha ability of four clinically available prosthetic oesophageal tubes to withstand exposure to laser light.