[The holmium laser in the endoscopic treatment of ureteral strictures]

The introduction of Ho-YAG laser created new opportunities for treatment of urological diseases. The authors used the unit CTH-10 (wavelength 2.09 mu, energy of impulse 0.7-1.5 J, frequency 1-15 Hz). 7 endoscopic corrections of the strictures were performed in 6 females using cutting and ablation properties of Ho-YAG laser (0.5 J, 5-10 Hz). The patency of the urinary tract was restored by dissection through all layers of the scar tissue in 5 females with strictures 0.5-12 cm. Ablation of the scar tissue was used in 1 patient with stricture of the low ureter 0.3 cm. In all the cases surgery ended with establishment of the ureteral stent. Control examinations showed satisfactory results in 5 patients. In one case nephrectomy was demanded. Better conditions for surgery were provided in the presence of nephrostomy drainage.