Laser bronchoscopy: experience at Siriraj Hospital.

Laser bronchoscopy is a major procedure employed in intervention bronchoscopy. From August 1998 to August 2000, 20 patients with endobronchial lesions were treated by this procedure in the Respiratory and Tuberculosis Division of the Department of Internal Medicine, Siriraj Hospital. Of 16 malignant lesion, a good response was obtained in 78 per cent (7 out of 9) of lesions in the proximal right main bronchus with failure to open any of the 3 completely obstructed lesions at the left distal bronchus. The results of treatment of malignant lesions in the trachea and carina were acceptable. Good results were obtained from all 4 benign endobronchial obstructions. No complications arose in this study. This small series demonstrates the benefit of laser bronchoscopy in patients with high risk endobronchial obstructive lesions.

Reference spirometric values for healthy lifetime nonsmokers in Thailand.

The normal spirometric reference values for Thai people are still not yet available. The aim of this study was to establish standard spirometric equations for Thai people. Subjects 10 years of age and over were selected and their demographic distributions represented that of the population of the whole country. Inclusion criteria were strictly lifetime nonsmokers, no history of chronic cardiopulmonary disease (using a modified ATS--DLD 78 respiratory adult questionnaire), normal standard chest radiograph and unremarkable physical examination. They had to be without respiratory symptoms at the time of the study. Spirometric values were obtained by 5 turbine system 'Pony graphic' (Cosmed, Italy) spirometers which met ATS recommendations. A normal group of 2299 women and 1655 men were selected. Regression analyses using sex, height and age as independent variables were used to provide equations for predicted values. The results were: [table: see text] FVC and FEV1 from this study are close to the Chinese but are 8-20 per cent lower than the Caucasians. These predicted equations are recommended to be used for future reference values in the Thai population.