Laser lithotripsy of ureteral calculi: initial experience with a new pulsed dye laser

Thirty-two patients with ureteral calculi ranging in size from 5 x 5 to 12 x 18 mm underwent lithotripsy with a new pulsed dye laser (Pulsolith, TMI). In 24 cases, the patients were entirely free of stones following laser lithotripsy alone, or with adjunctive stone basket removal. There were three instances of equipment failure and five calcium oxalate monohydrate stones that did not respond to laser energy.