Search

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on efficacy and safety of holmium laser enucleation of prostate compared with bipolar technologies in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia. We analyzed several databases such PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently reviewed studies for consistent criteria and extracted relevant data. Reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias and strength of the evidence for the body of the literature. Ten randomized controlled trials including 1,157 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The holmium laser group had favorable perioperative outcomes in this study. The holmium laser group identified shorter catheterization duration and shorter hospital stay duration than the bipolar technologies group. Efficiency outcomes, such as International Prostate Symptom Score, peak urinary flow rate, quality of life, postvoid residual urine volume, and international index of erectile function reported no obvious differences between the holmium laser and bipolar technologies groups at the 6 to 12 months follow-up. Bipolar technologies and holmium laser groups shared equivalent effectiveness and safety in treatments for benign prostate hyperplasia. Holmium lasers identified lower catheter times, shorter hospital stays, and lesser risk of hemorrhage than bipolar technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urolithiasis is a major health problem which is on the rise worldwide. New procedures and technological tools have arisen, providing the urologist with a vast arsenal of options for stone disease management. The goal of this narrative review is to summarize the most recent advancements and demonstrate their efficacy in reducing complications and increasing surgical efficacy. The latest modern advances in increasing stone rate after flexible ureteroscopy were included. The ureteral access sheet concept represents one of the most important parts in this procedure and new performances achieved in this field like suction and pressure control were evaluated. Another important aspect in flexible ureteroscopy is related to laser fibres. The latest achievements in Holmium and Thulium fibres were analysed and compared using both dusting and fragmenting techniques. After analysing these aspects, the conclusion was that suction improved visualization by removing "stone storm" and bleeding during the procedure and Thulium laser had the potential to become the new "gold standard" in the pursuit of obtaining a higher stone free rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to assess the current status of processing biodegradable metals (BDM) via selective laser melting (SLM), with particular emphasis on bone scaffold applications, and provide a meta-analysis on the effect of processing parameters on relative density to better direct recommendations for the future of this growing field. Synthetic bone scaffolds are becoming a popular alternative for the treatment of critical bone defects that cannot heal without surgical intervention. These scaffolds act as a bridge allowing bone to grow across the gap. Selective laser melting can achieve bone scaffolds with complex hierarchical architecture tailored specifically to the patient. SLM-manufactured titanium scaffolds have already been clinically tested with some success. Permanent titanium alloys have a higher chance of implant rejection from the innate immune reaction, coupled with complications linked to the high mismatch in stiffness between the implant and the bone. Biodegradable metals can overcome these problems by maintaining sufficient mechanical properties for load-bearing applications during healing and eventually degrade away completely. Currently, however, the use of SLM for the manufacturing of BDM scaffolds is still in its infancy as only a few peer-reviewed studies are published, with the majority of these published in the last couple of years. Literature was systematically reviewed to critically analyze and synthesize the data in the form of a meta-analysis. Only studies that included the processing parameters used for volumetric energy density (namely the laser power, scan speed, hatch spacing, and energy density) and provided as built relative densities were used. SLM of biodegradable metals is an exciting research area that requires further exploration. Apart from overcoming the problems unique to each major biodegradable metal family, the meta-analysis showed that the vast majority of studies regard the optimization of SLM processing parameters. However, these studies are specific to the powder and machine used. Rather, broader guidelines need to be developed for modern SLM machines to allow for quicker optimization for future SLM-manufactured BDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reviews the book "Holmium Laser," by N.P. Gupta and M. Kumar.