Objective: A series of experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the mechanism of holmium:YAG lithotripsy is photothermal.
Methods and results: To show that holmium:YAG lithotripsy requires direct absorption of optical energy, stone loss was compared for 150 J Ho:YAG lithotripsy of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) stones for hydrated stones irradiated in water (17+/-3 mg) and hydrated stones irradiated in air (25+/-9 mg) v dehydrated stones irradiated in air (40+/-12 mg) (P < 0.001). To show that Ho:YAG lithotripsy occurs prior to vapor bubble collapse, the dynamics of lithotripsy in water and vapor bubble formation were documented with video flash photography. Holmium:YAG lithotripsy began at 60 microsec, prior to vapor bubble collapse. To show that Ho:YAG lithotripsy is fundamentally related to stone temperature, cystine, and COM mass loss was compared for stones initially at room temperature (approximately 23 degrees C) v frozen stones ablated within 2 minutes after removal from the freezer. Cystine and COM mass losses were greater for stones starting at room temperature than cold (P < or = 0.05). To show that Ho:YAG lithotripsy involves a thermochemical reaction, composition analysis was done before and after lithotripsy. Postlithotripsy, COM yielded calcium carbonate; cystine yielded cysteine and free sulfur; calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate yielded calcium pyrophosphate; magnesium ammonium phosphate yielded ammonium carbonate and magnesium carbonate; and uric acid yielded cyanide. To show that Ho:YAG lithotripsy does not create significant shockwaves, pressure transients were measured during lithotripsy using needle hydrophones. Peak pressures were <2 bars.
Conclusion: The primary mechanism of Ho:YAG lithotripsy is photothermal. There are no significant photoacoustic effects.