[Laser lithotripsy in the treatment of ureteral lithiasis]

Laser lithotripsy constitutes a safe method with a success rate of 95% in the treatment of ureteral calculi. The photoacoustic properties of the laser permit stone fragmentation without injury to tissue. The major disadvantage of this technique is its cost. The availability of increasingly smaller electrohydraulic systems that are less costly questions the routine use of the laser system. Another aspect that must be considered is the rapid development of endourologic techniques and instruments in recent years. The use of laser-induced shock waves is not exclusive to the field of Urology. In other surgical specialties where electrohydraulic energy is difficult to use, it constitutes a necessary technique. Such is the case of endoscopy of the bile ducts, fragmentation of pancreatic calculi and lithiasis of the salivary glands. Another possible field of application of laser-induced shock waves is coronary angioplasty.