title: Holmium:YAG laser treatment of ureteral calculi: A 5-year experience.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to provide an account of the 5-year experience we have gained using holmium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Ho:YAG) lasertripsy in the treatment of ureteral stones. One-hundred thirty-seven transurethral ureterolithotripsies were performed in 131 patients. A Ho:YAG laser device, fibres with diameters of 360 and 550 mum, a video camera as well as semi-rigid and flexible ureterorenoscopes were used. Results showed that the direct success rates-which meant stone-free ureters on the first post-operative day-in the upper, middle and lower ureters were 84.6, 88.7 and 94.8%, respectively. The final success rates--which meant stone-free ureters 4 weeks after the operation without a second intervention--were 84.6, 96.7 and 96.7%, respectively. The pulsatile Ho:YAG laser beam fragmented all kinds of stones easily. No ureteral stricture or reflux was identified during the follow-up period. The advantages of Ho lasertripsy outweighed its disadvantages. Based on our experience, the Ho:YAG laser is one of the most effective and safest energy sources in the treatment of ureteral calculi.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei körút 98, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary. anfarkas@freemail.hu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farkas
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Péteri
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lorincz
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Salah
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Flaskó
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.forename: Cs
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tóth
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000628:therapy*; D018666:Ureteroscopy