[Use of the laser in urology]

The usage of laser therapy in urology is based upon thermal effects that lead to tissue destruction by coagulation necrosis and volatilization. The endoscopic treatment of bladder tumors has been its most important utilization. The authors report their experience with 681 bladder tumors in 198 patients and present the technical details of laser therapy, the indications and the results. The recurrence rate at the previously treated tumor area was found to be rather improved: 0.75/100 months/patient for stage pTa and 0.92/100 months/patient for stage pT1. Other utilizations for laser therapy exist: upper tract urothelial tumors mainly in selected cases as solitary kidney; urethral localizations of urothelial tumors and condylomata acuminata; urethral stenosis, as a complement of optical urethrotomy; hemorrhagic cystitis after radiotherapy and some forms of chemotherapy. The pulsed dye laser may become an important advance in endoscopic treatment of ureteral calculi.