Lithotripsy with the alexandrite laser: our initial 100 clinical cases

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Laser Medicine
• Biophysics

Background:

• Ureteral stones pose a significant clinical challenge.
• Current treatment modalities for ureteral stones have limitations.
• Minimally invasive techniques are continually being explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the alexandrite laser system for treating ureteral stones.
• To assess the fragmentation success rate and complication profile of alexandrite laser lithotripsy.

Main Methods:

• Alexandrite laser lithotripsy was performed on 112 patients with ureteral stones.
• Laser fiber guidance was achieved using rigid ureteroscopy.
• Stone fragmentation was analyzed in relation to calculus composition and structure.

Main Results:

• Laser lithotripsy demonstrated an 87.5% success rate in treating ureteral stones.
• A small percentage (6%) of stones were flushed back into the kidney.
• No patients required open ureterolithotomy, and no significant complications or sequelae were reported at 3-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

• The alexandrite laser system is an effective and safe treatment for ureteral stones.
• Rigid ureteroscopy provides reliable guidance for laser lithotripsy.
• This method presents a favorable alternative to surgical intervention for ureteral calculi.