Table 2. Properties of commonly used airway lasers (53).

Laser	Properties	Tissue Effects	Comments
Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG)	Wavelength: 1,064 nm; depth of penetration: 5–15 mm; absorption: proteins	Cutting: poor; coagulation: excellent; vaporization: excellent	Most commonly used laser in bronchoscopy; poor absorption by blood and water result in deep tissue penetration which in advantageous for management of airway tumors but increases risk of airway perforation; multiple modes of emission can be used which alter tissue effects
Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-perovskite (Nd:YAP)	Wavelength: 1,340 nm; depth of penetration: 5–10 mm; absorption: water	Cutting: poor; coagulation: excellent; vaporization: fair	Similar properties to Nd:YAG with less depth of penetration; more cost effective and portable than Nd:YAG
Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG)	Wavelength: 2,100 nm; depth of penetration: 0.5 mm; absorption: water	Cutting: good; coagulation: excellent; vaporization: good	Can be used in contact or non-contact modes; combined ability to cut and coagulate; low depth of penetration minimizes risk of non-visible tissue damage
Diode	Wavelength: multiple available; depth of penetration: 1–5 mm; absorption: water	Cutting: excellent; coagulation: good; vaporization: poor	Available as portable and compact tabletop system; similar effects as the Ho:YAG
Carbon dioxide (CO2)	Wavelength: 10,600 nm; depth of penetration: 0.1 mm; absorption: water	Cutting: excellent; coagulation: poor; vaporization: excellent	Commonly used in otolaryngology due to precise cutting effect; extremely poor coagulative effect; traditionally transmitted by mirrors instead of optical fibers limiting role in bronchoscopy; recently developed flexible fiber system now allows use through flexible bronchoscope