Holmium:YAG laser for urinary stones.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the results of Holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser lithotripsy in the treatment of urinary stones.


METHODS
Between 1993 and 1997, 59 patients with 85 urinary stones were treated with the Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy. Retrospective evaluation was done on the 64 procedures available, comprising 53 ureteric, 8 bladder, and 2 renal calculi, and one stone in a ureterocele.


RESULTS
The Ho:YAG laser fragmented all types of calculi. Of 38 patients, 29 (76%) with ureteric stones were stone-free and 7 (18%) had stone fragments smaller than 2 mm left 1-3 months after the lithotripsy, resulting in a total clinical success rate of 95%. The procedure caused four ureteric perforations. One ureteric stricture, after repeated treatments for a Steinstrasse formation, led to nephrectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
The Ho:YAG laser was reliable and effective for most of the urinary stones. The largest stones in any location, and stones of hard composition, however, were treated with combined disintegration methods. Four minor ureteric perforations and one ureteric stricture were related to laser use.
Taari
K
K
Department of Urology, Helsinki City Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. taari@netlife.fi
Lehtoranta
K
K
Rannikko
S
S
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000628:therapy*; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors