Low power laser in the management of ureteral stones

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of the low power Holmium-Yag laser in management of ureteral stones, and to report the incidence rate of different types of stones.

METHODS: One hundred and seventy patients underwent ureteroscopy and fragmentation of ureteral stones at the International Medical Center, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between March 2007 and August 2009. Stones were measured by their largest diameter on CT and classified according to their location from the ureter to the proximal middle and distal ureteral stones. We utilized 8-11 F Semi rigid or 7.5 F flexible ureteroscopes to identify the stones, and all stones were fragmented and evaporated using a 10 watt lower power Holmium-yag laser lithotripter.

RESULTS: All stones were completely evaporated and fragmented using the Holmium-yag laser through ureteroscopy. The age of the patients varied between 21-76 years with a mean age of 38.6 years (males 113, and females 57). The largest diameter of the largest stone was 6-12mm (mean 8 mm) and classified according to its location in the ureter into proximal (93 [54.7%]), middle (26 [15.3%]), or distal ureteral stones (51 [30%]). We performed stone analysis in 122 patients (oxalate [n=87], uric acid [n=16], cystine [n=11], and calcium phosphate [n=8]).

CONCLUSION: Laser lithotripsy using low power 10 watt laser lithotripter is safe and effective method for stone evaporation and disintegration, and can be carried out as a day care procedure. The types of stones in Saudi Arabia are same as it has been reported before in the literature.