title: Laser division of intraluminal sutures.
abstract: Neodymium:YAG and holmium:YAG lasers were used to remove intraluminal sutures from three patients. In two, the suture was in the bladder and had served as a nidus for stone formation. In the other, the suture was in the ureter. An in vitro study showed that the Nd:YAG laser could divide all types of suture readily, whereas the Ho:YAG laser could divide all materials except Gortex. These cases illustrate another application for lasers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Bagley
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Conlin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects; D013537:Sutures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014513:Ureter; D001743:Urinary Bladder; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000601:surgery