Role of lasertripsy in the management of ureteral calculi: experience with alexandrite laser system in 232 patients

J Endourol. 1996 Aug;10(4):345-8. doi: 10.1089/end.1996.10.345.

Abstract

In 232 patients with ureteral stones, lasertripsy was used as primary treatment or as second-line therapy after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). In all patients, a semirigid 6.5F ureteroscope or a flexible 6F ureteroscope was used. Lithotripsy was performed employing an alexandrite laser with an energy of 50 to 65 mJ. The immediate success rate was 67.5% for stones in the upper ureter, 86.1% for those in the midureter, and 94.5% for those in the distal ureter. In 16.5% of the treatments, it was necessary to insert a double-J stent. A perforation of the ureter happened in two patients (0.9%), but no laser-related complications were seen. Stone fragmentation was not dependent on stone composition or size. Using small semirigid or flexible ureteroscopes, lasertripsy of ureteral stones is a minimally invasive treatment with an insignificant complication rate. In case of midureteral stones, our results revealed a higher immediate stone-free rate than is reported in the literature after treatment by SWL, and we can therefore recommend lasertripsy as primary treatment. For upper ureteral stones, lasertripsy can be recommended as a helpful auxillary procedure. Furthermore, in cases of distal ureteral stones, lasertripsy challenges SWL as the primary treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aluminum Oxide
  • Beryllium
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lithotripsy, Laser / instrumentation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retreatment
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ureteral Calculi / therapy*

Substances

  • Aluminum Oxide
  • Beryllium