[Endoscopic ureterolithotripsy using a pulsed dye laser]

Endoscopic laser ureterolithotripsy (ELUL) has been conducted in 67 patients admitted to an urologic hospital at St.-Petersburg Medical Institute from 1989-1992. The patients aged 19-72 were exposed to He-Ne color pulsed laser (France) irradiation with the following parameters: wave length 504 nm +/- 3%, impulse duration 2 +/- 1 mus and energy 70-120 mJ. Ureteroscopy for delivery of the laser fibre was carried out in 60 (89.6%) patients, a sound and x-ray control of lithotripsy was performed in 7 (10.4%) patients. The stones were crushed completely in 89.6% of the patients. Laser-related complications were not registered. It is stated that ELUL holds promise in fragmentation of ureteroliths. The method introduction can be accomplished in large, well-equipped urologic clinics.