Single‐session ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy for multiple stones

Multiple stones are found in 20–25% of patients with urolithiasis. The stone multiplicity is a powerful adverse factor influencing the treatment outcome after shockwave lithotripsy, although guidelines for the treatment of multiple stones have not been well established yet. Herein we report our most recent experience of a single‐session ureteroscopy for multiple stones. Between September 2008 and December 2011, 51 patients with multiple stones (total 146 stones) in different locations (37unilateral, 14 bilateral) underwent a total of 65 ureteroscopic procedures. Operative time, stone‐free rates and complications were evaluated. Stone‐free status was defined as no fragments in the ureter and the absence of >2 mm fragments in the kidney. The mean stone number per patient was 2.9 ± 1.7 and the mean stone burden (cumulative stone length) was 21.5 ± 11.6 mm. The mean number of procedures was 1.3 ± 0.6. Overall, the stone‐free rate after a single session was 80% (41/51). In patients with stone burden <20 mm and ≥20 mm, stone‐free rates after a single session were 92% (23/25) and 69% (18/26), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the stone burden and the presence of impacted stones were the factors significantly influencing the treatment outcome. Stone location did not have a strong influence on the outcome. No major intraoperative complications were identified. Our findings suggest that ureteroscopy is an efficient treatment for multiple stones. For patients with stone burden <20 mm, either unilaterally or bilaterally, a single session of ureteroscopy is a favorable treatment option with a high stone‐free rate.     

Comparison of pneumatic and Holmium laser ureteroscopic lithotripsy for upper third ureteral stones

ObjectiveTo evaluate the outcomes of ureteroscopic lithotripsy with pneumatic lithotripter and Holium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Ho:YAG) laser in the management of upper third ureteral stones.Materials and methodsPatients who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy with pneumatic lithotripter or Ho:YAG laser for upper third ureteral stones were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with urinary tract infection, radiolucent stones, loss of follow-up, concurrent middle or lower third ureteral stones or acute renal failure were excluded. Patient age, stone size and burden (based on KUB or computerized tomography), stone upward migration, double J stent insertion rate, stone free rate and secondary intervention rate for residual stones were compared in both groups.ResultsThere were 158 patients with 178 upper third ureteral stones (135 in pneumatic lithotripsy group and 43 in Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy group) meeting the study criteria. Patients' age, gender, stone laterality, stone size and burden were similar in both groups. The Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy group had better stone free rate, less double J stent insertion rate and less secondary intervention rate as compared with pneumatic lithotripsy (53.4% vs. 40.1%; 72.1% vs. 91.9%; 25% vs. 48.5% respectively, all p < 0.05). In patients with stones larger than 10 mm, Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy had significantly lower upward migration rate, lower double J stent insertion rate, higher stone free rate and less secondary intervention rate.ConclusionsHo:YAG laser lithotripsy is superior to pneumatic lithotripsy in the management of upper third ureteral stones in terms of double J stent insertion rate, stone free rate and secondary intervention rate for stones of all sizes. For stones larger than 10 mm, laser lithotripsy results in less stone upward migration.     

经皮肾取石术中钬激光与气压弹道的疗效比较

目的 比较钬激光碎石术（LL）与气压弹道碎石术（PL）在经皮肾穿刺取石术（PCNL）中的疗效和安全性.方法 128例肾结石患者,其中采用PL治疗49例,采用LL治疗79例.结果 LL组在手术时间、术中出血量、术后住院时间和并发症发生率方面均低于PL组（P〈0.05）,分别为（72.4±2.3）min与（100.5±1.9）min,（75.8±5.3）ml与（91.4±4.3）ml,（5.1±1.2）d与vs（8.2±1.1）d,1.3% 与10.2%;LL组一次碎石成功率则高于PL组,LL为92.1%,PL为71.2%（P〈0.05）.结论 LL的疗效和安全性优于PL,在PCNL中更适合,更安全和高效.     

输尿管镜钬激光碎石与气压弹道碎石的比较

目的：比较输尿管镜下钬激光碎石术与气压弹道碎石术治疗输尿管结石的疗效与安全性。方法：回顾性分析输尿管镜下治疗76例输尿管结石患者的临床资料，其中采用钬激光碎石治疗36例（钬激光组）．气压弹道碎石治疗40例（气压弹道组）。结果：钬激光组平均术中碎石时间为8min，明显短于气压弹道组15min（P〈0．01）。钬激光组碎石成功率为97．2％，明显高于气压弹道碎石组的87．5％（P〈0．01）。两组手术均较安全，无明显相关并发症出现。结论：钬激光碎石术的有效性优于气压弹道碎石术，是一种治疗输尿管结石安全、高效的方法。     

输尿管镜下钬激光碎石与气压弹道碎石术治疗输尿管结石的疗效比较

目的 比较输尿管镜下钬激光碎石与气压弹道碎石术治疗输尿管结石的临床效果.方法 回顾分析2009年1月至2011年2月输尿管镜下治疗输尿管结石459例临床资料,其中钬激光碎石术267例(312侧),气压弹道碎石术192例(220侧).结果 钬激光组260例(305侧)碎石成功,碎石总成功率97.76%;气压弹道组177例(205侧)碎石成功,碎石总成功率93.18%.术后4~6周随访,两组结石排净率分别为98.69%、94.15%,碎石成功率、结石排净率均有显著性差异.结论 输尿管镜下钬激光和气压弹道碎石术均是治疗输尿管结石的好方法,但在碎石成功率、结石排净率以及在处理输尿管结石合并息肉、狭窄时,钦激光具有更大的优势.     

Subcapsular renal haematoma after holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser ureterolithotripsy

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The literature scarcely reports subcapsular renal haematoma (SRH) after lithotripsy techniques. We reported the incidence, associated risk factors, possible pathogenesis, precautions, and outcomes of SRH after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL).

OBJECTIVE

• ? To report the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of subcapsular renal haematoma (SRH) after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) using holmium:yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet (Ho:YAG) laser to treat ureteric stones.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• ? Prospective data from 2848 URSLs performed between January 2003 and September 2010 were retrospectively analysed.
• ? In all 11 patients were identified as having a SRH after URSL if they had persistent severe ipsilateral flank pain or a palpable mass within a day of surgery, or presented with radiographic evidence of a SRH.
• ? Risk factors for the development and course of the SRH were reported.

RESULTS

• ? Of the 2848 consecutive patients treated with URSL using Ho:YAG laser, 11 (0.4%) developed a SRH after surgery.
• ? Patients who developed a SRH had larger stones (1.4 vs 0.9 cm, P < 0.001), more severe ipsilateral hydronephrosis (P < 0.001), longer operation duration (41 vs 33 min, P < 0.001), and higher perfusion pressure of hydraulic irrigation (176.8 vs 170.2 mmHg, P < 0.001) than patients who did not develop a SRH.
• ? Patient age, sex, body mass index, presence of diabetes mellitus, history of urolithiasis and hypertension, presence of multiple stones, stone location and flow rate of hydraulic irrigation were not statistically different in patients who did or did not develop a SRH.
• ? Most patients were managed conservatively, with no further intervention or with a flank drain, until the SRH resolved. Overall, in three patients the SRH resolved with no further intervention, six patients were treated with a drain only, and two patients had open surgery within a day of presenting with SRH.

CONCLUSIONS

• ? The rate of development of SRH after URSL is very low.
• ? Most patients who present with a SRH after URSL, can be treated conservatively with no intervention or with a drain only.

     

Preliminary experience with the pulsed dye laser for treatment of urolithiasis

We report our initial experience using the pulsed dye laser in 26 patients with urolithiasis. The patients ranged in age from 27 to 82 years; 11 patients were female and 15 were male. Of the 26 patients, 4 stones were in the kidney, 21 were in the ureter, and one was in the bladder. Surgical time ranged from 32 to 130 minutes. All patients were treated under spinal or general anesthesia. The size of ureteral stones ranged from 0.2 to 1.5 cm, and the renal stones 3.0 to 4.0 cm. Chemical analysis of the stones was not available on all patients, but when available, chemical analysis revealed the stones to be calcium monohydrate, calcium dihydrate, or struvite. The use of the Candela miniscope in 11 patients permitted access without ureteral dilation. In 19 patients, ureteral stents were placed. One patient suffered a ureteral perforation. Success was defined as adequate disintegration of the stone for passage of the fragments without the necessity of a secondary procedure. Using this criterion, 22 of 26 patients were successfully treated for an overall success rate of 85%.     

Use of the holmium:YAG laser for ureterolithotripsy in children

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience with rigid ureteroscopy and holmium:YAG laser for treating ureteric calculi in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 35 children who were treated with rigid ureteroscopy for ureteric calculi between November 1997 and June 2003 (15 boys and 20 girls; mean age 6.2 years, range 1-14). The mean (range) stone size was 8 (4-15) mm and the duration of anaesthesia 46.6 (15-90) min. The stone was in the distal third of the ureter in 33 children and in the proximal third in two. We used a 7.5/8/10 F rigid ureteroscopes with routine dilatation of the ureteric orifice. For lower ureteric stones, lithotripsy was carried out with holmium:YAG laser in 29 cases, a pneumatic impactor in two and forceps extraction in two. Both stones in the proximal ureter were pushed back into the collecting system. All the ureters were stented using JJ stents in 31 and ureteric catheters in four cases. The mean postoperative follow-up was 12 (2-30) months. RESULTS: Excluding the two stones pushed back, the stone-free rate after a one-stage procedure was 82% (27/33). With repeated procedures in the six (ESWL in two) remaining cases the success rate was 97% (32/33). The ureter was perforated in two patients within the first five in the series. There was no pyelonephritis or gross haematuria after surgery. CONCLUSION: Ureteroscopy and lithotripsy using the holmium:YAG laser is effective and safe for treating ureteric stones in children, in experienced hands. The results would be even better using smaller and flexible ureteroscopes.     

输尿管结石ESWL失败改腔内钬激光碎石术的疗效观察

目的 探讨输尿管结石ESWL失败后采用腔内钬激光碎石术的临床疗效。方法 自2001年10月至2002年8月，对28例输尿管结石(ESWL失败)行输尿管镜下钬激光碎石术。结果 26例经输尿管镜下钬激光碎石术治愈，治愈率92．8％(26／28)；1例结石上移，辅以ESWL治愈；1例因输尿管纤维性扭曲改开放手术。结论 输尿管镜下钬激光碎石术安全、有效、方便，可以作为输尿管结石的首选治疗。     

输尿管镜联合钬激光碎石术治疗输尿管膀胱壁段结石(附36例报告)

目的探讨输尿管镜钬激光碎石术治疗输尿管膀胱壁段结石的临床疗效。方法采用输尿管镜钬激光碎石治疗输尿管膀胱壁段结石36例,并再术后行KUB及IVP复查。结果35例患者临床症状缓解,影像学检查提示输尿管引流通畅,未见结石,手术成功率达97.2%。结论经输尿管镜钬激光治疗输尿管膀胱壁段结石,并发症少,是一种安全有效的微创治疗。     

输尿管镜下钬激光碎石与经皮肾镜取石术治疗肾结石的疗效比较

目的比较输尿管镜下钬激光碎石与经皮肾镜取石术治疗。肾结石的疗效。方法回顾性分析2008年2月至2011年4月间109例肾结石患者的临床资料及治疗方法。其中采用输尿管硬镜和软镜钬激光碎石术64例,采用经皮肾镜钬激光碎石取石术45例。比较分析两种方法治疗结石的手术时间、碎石成功率、血红蛋白下降情况、术后住院时间、住院费用和并发症。结果输尿管镜组43例术中换用输尿管软镜击碎冲入肾盏的结石,术后发热3例。经皮肾镜组术后发热2例,1例出现术中、术后明显出血。两组手术时间、一期结石清除率比较,差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;血红蛋白下降值、住院时间、住院费用比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论输尿管镜下碎石与经皮肾镜疗效相近,且输尿管镜下碎石具有创伤小、住院时间少、治疗费用低及并发症发生率低的优势。     

双频激光碎石术在复杂性胆管结石中的应用

目的探讨双频激光碎石技术在治疗复杂性胆管结石中的疗效、安全性及应用价值。方法回顾2003年11月-2006年3月,对25例复杂性胆管结石患者进行的28例次双频激光碎石治疗的临床资料。其中术中应用22例次,术后经T管窦道应用6例次。结果24例患者取净结石,除1例发生一过性胆道出血外,无其他并发症。结论双频激光碎石治疗复杂性胆管结石具有有效性高、创伤小及并发症少等特点,拥有良好的推广前景。     

Combined electrohydraulic and holmium:yag laser ureteroscopic nephrolithotripsy for 20 to 40 mm renal calculi

PURPOSE: Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy is standard treatment for renal calculi greater than 2 cm. Modern flexible ureteroscopes using the complementary effects of electrohydraulic (EHL) and Ho:YAG laser lithotrites can treat 2 to 4 cm renal calculi in minimally invasive fashion with similar or superior results. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of ureteroscopic nephrolithotripsy for the management of 2 to 4 cm renal calculi in a community setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2001 and November 2002 all 15 patients presenting with renal calculi 22 to 42 mm long (mean 33) and 275 to 650 mm in area (mean 396), of whom 40% had infection, underwent flexible ureteroscopic nephrolithotripsy. A total of 13 patients had 3-month followup data. Hard stone components, namely calcium oxalate monohydrate and/or apatite, were present in 13 cases (87%). Treatment principles were the aggressive treatment of infection, EHL stone debulking, Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy to weaken hard stones structurally, manual piston irrigation to maintain visibility, bladder drainage to maintain low intrarenal pressures, minimum 6-hour postoperative observation and physiological passage of stone fragments. RESULTS: In the 13 patients with 3-month followup data the stone clearance rate was 92% for complete stone free status and 100% for fragments less than 4 mm. This result was achieved at 1 stage in 10 cases 13 (77%) and at 2 to 4 stages in 1 each. Mean procedure time per stage was 47 minutes (range 25 to 90) and total procedure time per patient was 66 minutes (range 25 to 240). There was no significant change in mean preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin (p = 0.87) and creatinine (p = 0.85) in the 16 of 21 procedures for which data were available. Procedures were done on an outpatient basis except in 1 patient, who was hospitalized overnight for the management of preexisting pulmonary problems. One rehospitalization for colic management but no other unplanned emergency department or clinic visits occurred. All patients were rendered infection-free and symptom-free. CONCLUSIONS: Combined EHL and Ho:YAG laser flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy can be an effective treatment with low morbidity. As such, it provides an attractive, minimally invasive alternative to percutaneous nephrolithotripsy or open surgery in patients with 2 to 4 cm renal calculi.     

Treatment of proximal ureteral calculi: holmium:YAG laser ureterolithotripsy versus extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

PURPOSE: We compared the safety and efficacy of ureteroscopy with intracorporeal holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) (Dornier Medical Systems, Inc., Marietta, Georgia) for proximal ureteral calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 67 patients underwent 81 primary procedures, including in situ ESWL with a DoLi 50 lithotriptor (Dornier Medical Systems, Inc.) or ureteroscopy combined with holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy for proximal ureteral calculi. RESULTS: Of the primary procedures 81 involved proximal ureteral calculi, including 35 done for calculi 1 cm. or greater. The initial stone-free rate in patients with calculi 1 cm. or greater was 93% for ureteroscopy combined with holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy and 50% for in situ ESWL. The efficiency quotient for treating proximal ureteral calculi 1 cm. or greater was calculated as 0.76 for ureteroscopic lithotripsy and 0.43 for ESWL. For proximal ureteral calculi less than 1 cm. the initial stone-free rate was 100% and 80% for ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy and ESWL, respectively. The efficiency quotient was calculated as 0.81 for ureteroscopic lithotripsy and 0.72 for ESWL for treating proximal ureteral calculi less than 1 cm. There were no major complications in either group and all procedures were performed on an outpatient basis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that ureteroscopy combined with holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy is an acceptable treatment modality for all proximal ureteral calculi and excellent results are achieved for calculi 1 cm. or larger. Although the stone-free rate was better for smaller stones with ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy, efficiency quotients were similar. Therefore, ESWL should remain first line therapy for proximal ureteral calculi less than 1 cm. because of less morbidity, and a lesser anesthesia and analgesic requirement.     

Wavelength dependence of laser fragmentation of gallstones

The wavelength dependence of the fragmentation of gallstones was investigated using pulsed excimer, ruby and Nd-YAG lasers. Fracturing is due to the shock waves produced by the plasma formed at the irradiated surface. The fluence threshold for plasma production and the associated acoustic signal was found to depend on the absorption coefficient at the laser wavelength. Using a simple model based on a thermal mechanism for plasma production the fluence threshold at different wavelengths can be predicted and the effect of the duration of the irradiating pulse can be qualitatively explained.     

Laserlithotripsy of salivary stones: A comparison between the pulsed dye laser and the Ho-YSGG laser

The feasibility of laser lithotripsy of salivary stones was investigated. Two types of laser systems were evaluated: a 504 nm flashlamp pumped dye laser and a Ho-YSGG laser. With the dye laser, plasma flashes and acoustic phenomena could be observed. The number of laser shots per unit mass necessary to fragment the stone decreased in proportion to the energy per laser pulse to the power –2.7. With the Ho-YSGG laser, a more ablative kind of stone decomposition was observed. Here the number of shots per unit mass necessary for fragmentation was inversely proportional to the energy per laser pulse. For both lasers the total time necessary to fragment the stones is much too long to compete with conventional stone removal.     

钬激光结合输尿管镜治疗泌尿系结石

目的:探讨钬激光结合输尿管镜腔内治疗泌尿系结石的安全性、有效性。方法:采用钬激光联合输尿管镜治疗泌尿系结石380例。结果:单次手术结石粉碎率达90.8%(345/380),其中肾结石成功率为81.8%(54/66),输尿管上段结石单次碎石成功率为93.1%(284/305),中、下段结石为97.9%(91/93),膀胱结石及尿道结石为100%(9/9)。结论:钬激光联合输尿管镜碎石术治疗泌尿系结石安全、有效,手术技巧容易掌握;尤其适用于结石合并输尿管狭窄、结石合并息肉形成或结石嵌顿包裹,以及体外冲击波碎石失败的患者。