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Intracorporeal lithotripsy with the Alexandrite laser

Intracorporeal lithotripsy with the Alexandrite laser

Authors :
John D. Denstedt
Samuel S. Chun
Parker M. Eberwein
M. Dale Miller
Source :
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 20:433-436
Publication Year :
1997
Publisher :
Wiley, 1997.

Abstract

Background and Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical use of an Alexandrite laser lithotripter for intracorporeal lithotripsy of urinary calculi. Study Design/Materials and Methods: We prospectively evaluated a flash lamp pumped, Q-switched Alexandrite solid-state laser for use in conjunction with ureteroscopy (30 cases) or percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (2 cases). The laser operates at a wavelength of 755 nm in a pulsed mode with pulses of 150–800 ns duration at energy settings of 30–80 mJ. Results The fragmentation rate with the Alexandrite laser alone was 50% (16/32). Failure of the laser was due to equipment malfunction or technical problems in 11 cases and inability to fragment the stone in 5. All cases of failed Alexandrite laser lithotripsy were successfully salvaged with alternative modalities of endoscopic stone destruction and removal. One intraoperative complication, a ureteral perforation, occurred; however, no long-term sequelae related to laser use was documented. Conclusion Clinical results with the Alexandrite laser appear to be inferior to those reported with alternative laser systems and other forms of intracorporeal lithotripsy. Whereas some of the inadequacies we have noted may be addressed in the future by modifications in the unit and delivery systems, we would not recommend this device for intracorporeal lithotripsy of urinary calculi in its current form. Lasers Surg. Med. 20:433–436, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Details

ISSN :
10969101 and 01968092
Volume :
20
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........0c39fa11b48edf910d519d599525d9e0
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1096-9101(1997)20:4<433::aid-lsm9>3.0.co;2-r