Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of the high-power holmium laser with percutaneous nephrolithotripsy for kidney calculi.
Methods: The high-power (60 W: 3.0 J x 20 Hz) holmium laser with percutaneous nephrolithotripsy was performed on 52 patients with single kidney pelvic or calyceal stones (average stone diameter 3.1 cm), 36 patients with multi-kidney pelvic and calyceal stones (average diameter 2.8 cm), 24 patients with staghorn stones (average diameter 6.8 cm). The duration of stone surgery, stone-free rate and complication were assessed.
Results: The mean duration of stone surgery was 44 min, the stone-free rate was 66% (74/112) after the first session, 89% (100/112) at the end of session. 3 patients had high fever after percutaneous nephrolithotripsy, no other adverse events were noted.
Conclusions: The high-power holmium laser with percutaneous nephrolithotripsy can fragments calculi quickly and reduces the length of time of operation. It is an effective and safe technique for kidney calculi.