Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2011 Apr;3(2):81-9.
doi: 10.1177/1756287211400494.

The evolution of lasers in urology

Amir Zarrabi  1 , Andreas J Gross
Affiliations

The evolution of lasers in urology

Amir Zarrabi et al. Ther Adv Urol. 2011 Apr.

Abstract

The world's first laser was developed by Theodore Maiman in 1960. Over the course of the past five decades, this technology has evolved into a highly specialized entity, also finding a niche market in the field of urology. Lasers obtained from various lasing mediums producing amplified light of different wavelengths have been tested for urological applications. Today, these lasers are most commonly used in the surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia and as intracorporeal lithotripters. Other uses include ablation of various urologic tumors and incising strictures of the upper- and lower urinary tract. A continuous process of evolution of this technology is taking place, resulting in surgical lasers becoming ever safer, more effective, and more affordable.

Keywords: ablation; laser; lithotripsy; penetration depth; thermal effects; vaporization; wavelength.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Absorption spectrum of melanin, hemoglobin and water for specific laser wavelengths [Teichmann and Herrmann, 2007].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Anson K., Seenivasagam K., Miller R., Watson G. (1994) The role of lasers in urology. BJU Int 73: 225–230 - PubMed
    1. Bach T., Wendt-Nordahl G., Michel M.S., Herrmann T.R.W., Gross A.J. (2009) Feasibility and efficacy of Thulium:YAG laser enucleation (VapoEnucleation) of the prostate. World J Urol 27: 541–545 - PubMed
    1. Bach T., Xia S.J., Yang Y., Mattioli S., Watson G.M., Gross A.J., et al. (2010) Thulium:YAG 2µm cw laser prostatectomy: where do we stand? World J Urol 28: 163–168 - PubMed
    1. Bader M., Tilki D., Gratzke C., Sroka R., Stief C.G., Reich O. (2010) Ho:YAG-laser: treatment of vesicourethral strictures after radical prostatectomy. World J Urol 28: 169–172 - PubMed
    1. Bagley D. (2002) Expanding role of ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy for treatment of proximal ureteral and intrarenal calculi. Curr Opin Urol 12: 277–280 - PubMed