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Updated: Dec 27, 2025
Photoselective Vaporesection of the Prostate via an End-firing Lithium Triborate Crystal Laser
Published on: May 9, 2018
Thulium-fiber laser for lithotripsy: first clinical experience in percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Dmitry Enikeev1, Mark Taratkin2, Roman Klimov2
1Institute for Urology and Reproductive Health, Sechenov University, 2/1 Bolshaya Pirogovskaya St., Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation. dvenikeev@gmail.com.
Purpose:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of thulium-fiber laser (TFL) in laser lithotripsy during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).
Methods:
Patients with stones < 30 mm were prospectively recruited to undergo PCNL using TFL "FiberLase" (NTO IRE-Polus, Russia). Stone size, stone density, operative time, and "laser on" time (LOT) were recorded. Study included only cases managed with fragmentation. Stone-free rate and residual fragments were determined on postoperative computer tomography. Complications were classified using the Clavien-Dindo grade. Stone retropulsion and endoscopic visibility were assessed based on surgeons' feedback using a questionnaire.
Results:
A total of 120 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 52 (± 1.8) years; of these 77 (56%) were males. Mean stone size was 12.5 (± 8.8) mm with a mean density of 1019 (± 375) HU. Mean operative time was 23.4 (± 17.9) min and mean LOT was 5.0 (± 5.7) min. Most used settings were of 0.8 J/25-30 W/31-38 Hz (fragmentation). The mean total energy for stone ablation was 3.6 (± 4.3) kJ. Overall stone-free rate was 85%. The overall complication rate was 17%. Surgeons reported stone retropulsion that interfered with surgery in 2 (1.7%) cases insignificant retropulsion was noted in 16 (10.8%) cases. Poor visualization was reported in three (2.5%) cases and minor difficulties with visibility in four (3.3%) cases.
Conclusions:
TFL is a safe and effective modality for lithotripsy during PCNL and results in minimal retropulsion.
