Comparison of 2 pulsed lasers for lithotripsy of ureteral calculi: report on 154 patients

Complications of ureteroscopy

Ureteroscopy has undergone a dramatic evolution over the last two decades. Although ureteroscopic injury is the most common cause of ureteral trauma because of the large number of ureteroscopic procedures performed, improvements in instrumentation and technique have resulted in a reduced incidence of serious complications. Despite significant technologic advances, however, surgical misadventures still occur, some of which have lasting consequences. Careful attention to instrument selection and surgical technique are critical to reduce untoward events related to ureteroscopy. As such, adverse sequelae associated with ureteroscopy should be related to the underlying pathology itself rather than to the treatment.

Comparision of intracorporeal lithotripsy methods and forceps use for distal ureteral stones: seven years experience

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate and to compare the safety and efficacy of ureteroscopic lithotripsy methods and forceps use for distal ureteral stones.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

514 patients were evaluated retrospectively who were treated by dye laser, electrohydraulic or ultrasonic lithotripsy or direct forceps extraction for distal ureteral stones between May 1992-October 1999.

RESULTS

Laser lithotripsy was determined to be the most effective method with 86.9% success, while ultrasonic lithotripsy was the least effective method with 77.3% success rate. For smaller stones forceps extraction had a 88.5% success rate.

CONCLUSION

Ureteroscopic lithotripsy methods are all alternative choice of treatment methods in distal ureteral stones. To our experience, laser lithotripsy is the most effective method of all intracorporeal lithotripsy methods as far as the success and complication rates are concerned.

Update on contact lithotripsy

Despite the development of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, endoscopic stone removal, with or without intracorporeal lithotripsy, is still an effective minimally invasive alternative for special indications. There is no defined all-purpose lithotripsy procedure for contact lithotripsy. The choice of the lithotripsy procedure for endoscopic stone disintegration depends on a number of different factors, the main one being stone localization. Small calibre, flexible probes (electrohydraulic, pneumatic, laser) are especially appropriate for ureterorenoscopy, but the speed of stone disintegration is a limiting factor. In contrast, large calibre rigid probes (ultrasound) are clearly more effective, but are unsuitable in size for flexible ureterorenoscopy. This indicates that the type and size of the endoscope decisively influences the choice of devices for endoscopic stone disintegration. Additional inhibiting factors are the flexibility or the rigidity of the instrument and the diameter of the working channel. It must be noted that total costs are not only calculated on the purchase of the equipment, but must also cover disposable materials.

Intracorporeal lithotripsy. Update on technology

The number and variety of devices currently available for endoscopic lithotripsy reflect the reality that no single device is ideal in all situations. Although the search for the universal lithotriptor continues, the urologist must consider several factors if faced with the decision of which device to purchase. Perhaps foremost among these factors is the clinical situation with which one commonly deals. For example, although the smaller, flexible probes such as EHL or laser demonstrate considerable utility if used ureteroscopically, the larger stone burden associated with today's percutaneous nephrolithotripsy population often is treated more efficiently with one of the mechanical devices employing a larger, rigid probe, such as ultrasound or the Lithoclast. Similarly, the type and size of endoscopic equipment at one's disposal have a significant impact on which device to purchase or use. There are physical constraints affecting which device may or may not be used, rigid versus flexible endoscope, working channel caliber, and offset versus end-on-port. The skill and experience of the surgeon is also a factor of obvious importance, particularly if one is using a modality with a relatively narrow margin of safety such as EHL. Likewise, the training and experience of nursing personnel is a factor, especially regarding the use of lasers, which require certified personnel who are well versed in laser safety. Finally, in today's environment one must carefully evaluate cost in terms of not only initial capital outlay but also ongoing charges for disposable and maintenance items. Thus, the decision of which device to purchase is complex and requires careful evaluation of all of the previously noted variables. Likewise, if one is fortunate enough to have more than one device available, the decision of which lithotriptor to employ requires a similar decision based on sound surgical judgment.

Holmium laser lithotripsy for ureteral calculi: an outpatient procedure

A retrospective review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using the holmium laser with a semirigid endoscope in a newly established day surgery center. In 1996, 69 consecutive patients (40 male and 29 female) with a mean age of 46.7 (range 21-73) years and ASA status I or II underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy for their ureteral calculi using the holmium laser (365-micron fiber; power setting 0.5-1.4 J/5 Hz) and 8.5F semirigid ureteroscope in a day surgery setting. Stone features, postoperative pain scores, readmissions, and complications were evaluated. Eighteen upper, 17 middle, and 34 lower ureteral stones were treated, with a mean size measuring 12.1 (5-45) mm. The mean operative time was 61 minutes including the anesthetic time (range 15-150 minutes), and the success rate was 91% (63/69). The complication rate was 10% (7/69) including four unscheduled readmissions (6%). Telephone follow-up on postoperative Day 1 and Day 3 revealed mean pain scores of 2 and 1, respectively (on a 0-10 scale) and an analgesic requirement of 1 tablet of Dologesic (containing 32.5 mg of dextropropoxyphene + 320 mg of paracetamol) four times a day on both days. Ureteroscopic lithotripsy using the holmium laser and a semirigid endoscope is highly successful and well tolerated and carries a low complication rate. It is indicated as an ambulatory and minimally invasive treatment modality in low-risk patients with ureteral stones.

Safety and efficacy of the Alexandrite laser for the treatment of renal and ureteral calculi

OBJECTIVES

To assess the safety and efficacy of the Alexandrite laser for intracorporeal lithotripsy of renal and ureteral stones in conjunction with ureterorenoscopy or percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 137 patients with 169 calculi in 143 renoureteral units who were treated with the Alexandrite laser via a retrograde (91.5%) or antegrade (8.5%) endoscopic approach.

RESULTS

Adequate intraoperative fragmentation of the stone was observed in 88.8% of the cases. No intraoperative complications were attributable to the laser. At a mean follow-up of 34 days, the overall stone-free rate was 74.4%. The stone-free rate for ureteral stones (n = 115) was 80%, whereas the stone-free rate for renal stones (n = 22) was only 44%. In the best subgroup of ureteral stones (10 mm or less in the distal ureter), the stone-free rate was 97.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

The Alexandrite laser is a safe modality for intracorporeal lithotripsy and is highly effective for ureteral stones less than 10 mm in size.

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

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.

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy of upper ureteral calculi with semirigid ureteroscope

Forty-three patients with single ureteral calculi located above the pelvic brim were treated by electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) using a semirigid mini-ureteroscope. Of the 43 calculi, 36 (84%) were fragmented in one procedure. Six calculi (14%) were pushed back to the renal pelvis and treated successfully by complementary extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). The total success rate of ureteroscopic manipulation thus was 98%. The operation time (mean 26.4 minutes) and postoperative hospital stay (mean 2.53 days) were relatively short. Complications were limited to four (9%) minor perforations of the ureter managed by internal stenting. Among these patients with complications, there were no significant ureteral strictures noted on excretory urography or ureteroscopic examination 1 to 3 months after ureterolithotripsy. The costs of ureteroscopy with EHL are lower than that of SWL or ureteroscopic lasertripsy. The total fees for ureteroscopy with EHL are about two thirds those for SWL in Taiwan. Despite the longer learning curve required for ureteroscopy, ureteroscopy associated with EHL is a cost-effective alternative for the treatment of upper ureteral calculi, especially when SWL is not readily available.

Clinical experience with holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy of ureteral calculi

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

We recently acquired a holmium:YAG laser with wavelength of 2.1 microns. We would like to report our success in using this machine for laser lithotripsy.

STUDY DESIGN/PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-seven ureteroscopic laser lithotripsies were performed in 44 patients (three bilateral stones) over a 6 month period. Four stones were in the upper ureter, six in the middle ureter, and 37 in the lower ureter. The holmium laser beam was delivered via a 400 micron flexible quartz fiber through a 7 Fr rigid ureteroscope during the procedure. The stone size varied from 4 to 21 mm.

RESULTS

The success rate was 91%. Most of the stones were fragmented to less than 2 mm in size. Larger fragments were removed with a Dormia basket (six cases) for stone clearance. Endoscopic laser ureterotomy was performed in two patients with stricture below the stone. One patient required conversion to open ureterolithotomy, and three required subsequent Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy. A low complication rate was observed.

CONCLUSION

The pulsed holmium:YAG laser is safe and effective for use in ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy.