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Laser division of intraluminal sutures
D H Bagley1, E Schultz, M J Conlin
1Department of Urology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Journal of Endourology
|September 3, 1998
Summary
Neodymium:YAG and holmium:YAG lasers effectively removed intraluminal sutures from patients. These lasers offer a new application for treating suture-related complications like bladder stones.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Laser Medicine
- Surgical Technology
Background:
- Intraluminal sutures can cause complications such as stone formation in the urinary tract.
- Existing methods for suture removal may be invasive or ineffective.
Observation:
- Three patients with intraluminal sutures underwent laser treatment.
- Two sutures were located in the bladder, acting as a nidus for stone formation.
- One suture was found in the ureter.
Findings:
- Neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) lasers successfully divided all tested suture materials in vitro.
- Holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) lasers divided all suture materials except Gortex.
- Laser treatment was effective in removing the intraluminal sutures in the clinical cases.
Implications:
- Lasers provide a novel and effective method for intraluminal suture removal.
- This technique may prevent or treat suture-related complications like urolithiasis.
- Further research could explore the use of lasers for other intraluminal foreign body removals.