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Kronenberg P, Cerrato C, Juliebø-Jones P, Herrmann T, Tokas T, Somani BK. Advances in lasers for the minimally invasive treatment of upper and lower urinary tract conditions: a systematic review. World J Urol 2023; 41:3817-3827. [PMID: 37906263 DOI: 10.1007/s00345-023-04669-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Technological advancements in laser lithotripsy are expanding into numerous fields of urology, like ureteroscopy (URS), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and benign and malignant soft-tissue treatments. Since the amount of research regarding lasers in urology has grown exponentially, we present a systematic review of the most recent and relevant advances encompassing all lasers used in urological endoscopic treatment. METHODS We performed a literature search using PubMed (May 2023) to obtain information about lasers for urological purposes. We included only recent data from published articles between 2021 and 2023 or articles ahead of print. RESULTS Lasers are widely used in lithotripsy for ureteric, renal, and bladder stones, benign prostate surgery, and bladder and upper tract tumor ablation. While the holmium (Ho:YAG) laser is still predominant, there seems to be more emphasis on pulse modulation and newer lasers such as thulium fiber laser (TFL) and pulsed Tm:YAG laser. CONCLUSION The use of lasers and related technological innovations have shown increasing versatility, and over time have proven to be invaluable in the management of stone lithotripsy, treatment of benign and malignant prostate diseases, and urothelial tumors. Laser endoscopic treatment is heavily based on technological nuances, and it is essential to know at least the basics of these technologies. Ultimately the choice of laser used depends on its availability, cost, surgeon experience and expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clara Cerrato
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Thomas Herrmann
- Department of Urology, Kantonspital Frauenfeld, Spital Thurgau AG, Frauenfeld, Switzerland
- Training and Research in Urological Surgery and Technology (T.R.U.S.T.)-Group, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Theodoros Tokas
- Training and Research in Urological Surgery and Technology (T.R.U.S.T.)-Group, Hall in Tirol, Austria
- Department of Urology, Medical School, University General Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
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Almasoud NA, Safar O, Elatreisy A, Alshahrani ST, Libdah SB, Alkhaldi SM, Alsoliman NF, Alderaan AM, Abdel-Al I, Abouelgreed TA, Alabeedi M, Al-Aown A. Super pulsed thulium fiber laser outcomes in retrograde intrarenal surgery for ureteral and renal stones: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Urol 2023; 23:179. [PMID: 37936133 PMCID: PMC10631031 DOI: 10.1186/s12894-023-01355-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Laser lithotripsy using a thulium fiber laser (TFL) has become an effective treatment option for small renal stones with low complication rates. TFL has a higher absorption coefficient, smaller fibers, and better pulse rate capability. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the published evidence regarding TFL's lithotripsy performance in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), for which we primarily assessed the outcomes of stone-free rate, operation time, and complications. We searched different databases from inception to April 2023. We assessed the methodological quality and risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized trials and the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized studies. We used a random-effects model for meta-analysis and assessed heterogeneity using the I2 statistic. RESULTS Twelve published studies evaluated the efficacy of RIRS using a TFL for treating renal and ureteral stones. The meta-analysis revealed a predicted stone-free rate of 89.37% (95% CI: 83.93% to 93.12%), indicating that, on average, approximately 89.37% of patients achieved a stone-free state after treatment. The substantial heterogeneity among the studies was evident, as shown by a Q-value of 33.1174 and a p-value of 0.0003. The I2 value of 69.80% (95% CI: 25.91% to 92.02%) highlighted the proportion of variability attributed to genuine heterogeneity across the studies. Moreover, the H2 value 3.31 (95% CI: 1.35 to 12.53) indicated significant heterogeneity beyond random chance. The estimated overall effect size (logit-transformed) of 2.1289 was highly statistically significant (z = 8.7648, p < 0.0001) with a confidence interval of 1.6528 to 2.6049. The reported complications varied across studies, encompassing Clavien grade I-II complications in most cases, with a subset experiencing more severe Clavien grade III-V complications. Additionally, other studies noted a range of complications, such as haematuria, fever, transient creatinine elevation, and postoperative issues like bleeding, pain, and sepsis. CONCLUSION This meta-analysis suggests that RIRS using TFL is an effective and safe treatment option for renal and ureteral stones, with high stone-free and low complication rates. The included studies exhibited a low risk of bias and were of high quality. However, more extensive randomized controlled trials with extended follow-up periods are needed to investigate this technique's efficacy and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazal A Almasoud
- Urology Department, Prince Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Sakaka, Aljouf province, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar Safar
- Urology Department, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushayt, Aseer Province, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Adel Elatreisy
- Urology Department, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushayt, Aseer Province, Saudi Arabia
- Urology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azher University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Saad Thamer Alshahrani
- Urology Department, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushayt, Aseer Province, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saud Bin Libdah
- Urology Department, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushayt, Aseer Province, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sulaiman M Alkhaldi
- Urology Department, Prince Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Sakaka, Aljouf province, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nezar F Alsoliman
- Urology Department, Prince Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Sakaka, Aljouf province, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman M Alderaan
- Urology Department, Prince Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Sakaka, Aljouf province, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Abdel-Al
- Urology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azher University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, Egypt
| | | | - Mohammed Alabeedi
- Urology Department, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushayt, Aseer Province, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman Al-Aown
- Urology Department, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushayt, Aseer Province, Saudi Arabia
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Chen J, Mishra A, Medairos R, Antonelli J, Preminger GM, Lipkin ME, Zhong P. In vitro investigation of stone ablation efficiency, char formation, spark generation, and damage mechanism produced by thulium fiber laser. Urolithiasis 2023; 51:124. [PMID: 37917225 PMCID: PMC10880548 DOI: 10.1007/s00240-023-01501-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
To investigate stone ablation characteristics of thulium fiber laser (TFL), BegoStone phantoms were spot-treated in water at various fiber tip-to-stone standoff distances (SDs, 0.5 ~ 2 mm) over a broad range of pulse energy (Ep, 0.2 ~ 2 J), frequency (F, 5 ~ 150 Hz), and power (P, 10 ~ 30 W) settings. In general, the ablation speed (mm3/s) in BegoStone decreased with SD and increased with Ep, reaching a peak around 0.8 ~ 1.0 J. Additional experiments with calcium phosphate (CaP), uric acid (UA), and calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) stones were conducted under two distinctly different settings: 0.2 J/100 Hz and 0.8 J/12 Hz. The concomitant bubble dynamics, spark generation and pressure transients were analyzed. Higher ablation speeds were consistently produced at 0.8 J/12 Hz than at 0.2 J/100 Hz, with CaP stones most difficult yet COM and UA stones easier to ablate. Charring was mostly observed in CaP stones at 0.2 J/100 Hz, accompanied by strong spark-generation, explosive combustion, and diminished pressure transients, but not at 0.8 J/12 Hz. By treating stones in parallel fiber orientation and leveraging the proximity effect of a ureteroscope, the contribution of bubble collapse to stone ablation was found to be substantial (16% ~ 59%) at 0.8 J/12 Hz, but not at 0.2 J/100 Hz. Overall, TFL ablation efficiency is significantly better at high Ep/low F setting, attributable to increased cavitation damage with less char formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junqin Chen
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Box 90300, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Arpit Mishra
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Box 90300, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Robert Medairos
- Department of Urology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jodi Antonelli
- Department of Urology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Glenn M Preminger
- Department of Urology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Michael E Lipkin
- Department of Urology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Pei Zhong
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Box 90300, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
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Emiliani E, Kanashiro A, Angerri O. Lasers for stone lithotripsy: advantages/disadvantages of each laser source. Curr Opin Urol 2023; 33:302-307. [PMID: 36927702 DOI: 10.1097/mou.0000000000001092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this article was to make a narrative review of the literature in search of all articles regarding thulium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (YAG), thulium laser fiber (TFL) and holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) for lithotripsy from 2020 to 2023. A selection of articles of special interest and best evidence was made in order to give a better perspective on their advantages and disadvantages. RECENT FINDINGS New Ho:YAG technologies of as high power, high frequency and pulsed modulations have shown promising results for lithotripsy by reducing retropulsion with good ablation efficiency. High peak power makes it particularly good for percutaneous nephrolithotomy. High intrarenal temperatures and correct setting are still concerning points.TFL has arrived to be one of the main players in flexible ureteroscopy. Being highly efficient and quick, and by producing micro-dusting the laser is quickly heading to become a gold standard. The new pulsed Thulium YAG is the newest laser. For now, only in-vitro studies show promising results with efficient lithotripsy. As the peak power lies between Ho:YAG and TFL it may be able to adequately perform when needing and low power lithotripsy. SUMMARY Several new technologies have been developed in the last years for stone lithotripsy. All being efficient and safe if well used. Different advantages and disadvantages of each laser must be taken into consideration to give each laser the proper indication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Emiliani
- Fundació Puigvert. Autonomous University of Barcelona. Barcelona, Spain
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Denstedt J, Gabrigna Berto FC. Thulium fiber laser lithotripsy: Is it living up to the Hype? Asian J Urol 2022. [PMID: 37538164 PMCID: PMC10394282 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The holmium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser (Ho:YAG) has been the gold standard for laser lithotripsy over the last three decades. After demonstrating good in vitro efficacy, the thulium fiber laser (TFL) has been recently released in the market and the initial clinical results are encouraging. This article aims to review the main technology differences between the Ho:YAG laser and the TFL, discuss the initial clinical results with the TFL as well as the optimal settings for TFL lithotripsy. Methods We reviewed the literature focusing on the technological aspects of the Ho:YAG laser and TFL as well as the results of in vitro and in vivo studies comparing both technologies. Results In vitro studies show a technical superiority of TFL compared to the Ho:YAG laser and encouraging results have been demonstrated in clinical practice. However, as TFL is a new technology, limited studies are currently available, and the optimal settings for lithotripsy are not yet established. Conclusion TFL has the potential to be an alternative to the Ho:YAG laser, but more reports are still needed to determine the optimal laser for lithotripsy of urinary tract stones when considering all parameters including effectiveness, safety, and costs.
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Traxer O, Sierra A, Corrales M. Which Is the Best Laser for Lithotripsy? Thulium Fiber Laser. EUR UROL SUPPL 2022; 44:15-17. [PMID: 36043194 PMCID: PMC9420494 DOI: 10.1016/j.euros.2022.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Traxer
- Sorbonne University GRC Urolithiasis no. 20, Tenon Hospital, F-75020 Paris, France. Tel. +33 684 479 763.
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Giusti G, Pupulin M, Proietti S. Which Is the Best Laser for Lithotripsy? The Referee Point of View. EUR UROL SUPPL 2022; 44:20-22. [PMID: 36043189 PMCID: PMC9420467 DOI: 10.1016/j.euros.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Guido Giusti
- Corresponding author. Department of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy.
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