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. 2018 May 17;19(6):45.
doi: 10.1007/s11934-018-0807-y.

Advances in Lasers for the Treatment of Stones-a Systematic Review

Peter Kronenberg  1 , Bhaskar Somani  2
Affiliations

Advances in Lasers for the Treatment of Stones-a Systematic Review

Peter Kronenberg et al. Curr Urol Rep. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Laser lithotripsy is increasingly used worldwide and is a continuously evolving field with new and extensive research being published every year.

Recent findings: Variable pulse length Ho:YAG lithotripters allow new lithotripsy parameters to be manipulated, and there is an effort to integrate new technologies into lithotripters. Pulsed thulium lasers seem to be a viable alternative to holmium lasers. The performance of similar laser fibers varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Special laser fibers and "cleaving only" fiber tip preparation can be beneficial for the lithotripsy procedure. Different laser settings and the surgical technique employed can have significant impact on the success of laser lithotripsy. When safely done, complications of laser lithotripsy are rare and concern the endoscopic nature of procedure, not the technology itself, making laser lithotripsy one of the safest tools in urology. Laser lithotripsy has had several new developments and more insight has been gained in recent years with many more advances expected in the future.

Keywords: Endourology; Laser lithotripsy; Pulsed thulium lasers.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

Peter Kronenberg and Bhaskar Somani each declares no potential conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Graphic representation of differences between standard (short-pulse) laser lithotripsy, high-frequency laser lithotripsy, long-pulse laser lithotripsy, and burst laser lithotripsy over time
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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