[New perspectives for laser therapy].
We review the current trends and new perspectives of the use of laser in urology, analyzing different fields in which this energy has been used. In lithotripsy, the laser has modified the therapeutic algorithms for ureteral lithiasis. Moreover, the possibility of using laser with flexible ureteroscopes is enabling the performance of intracorporeal in situ renal lithotripsy. New lasers such as Erbium:yag, more effective and more innocuous than holmium are currently under development. The research in new fibers, more flexible, economic and long-lasting is the next challenge in this field. In BPH, although the KTP laser has obtained and extraordinary diffusion for a certain type of prostate volume, new lasers such as thulium and diode, are in competition with holmium laser in the field of prostatic enucleation due to their precise cut. The application of laser in photodynamic therapy for urological cancers and tissue welding are currently new promising objectives of research.
Amón Sesmero
José H
JH
Servicio de Urología, Hospital Rio Hortega, Valladolid, España. amonsesmero@yahoo.es
D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser; D008297:Male; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000601:surgery; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000628:therapy; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*