Pulsed dye laser fragmentation of ureteral calculi: a review of the first 50 cases performed at Virginia Mason Medical Center

During the preceding 2 1/2 years 50 patients have undergone laser fragmentation of ureteral calculi at our medical center. Of these 50 patients 48 (96%) became free of stones without the need for an open operation: 44 (88%) were managed in 1 setting and 4 required adjunctive extracorporeal shock wav...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Journal of urology Vol. 143; no. 4; p. 685
Main Authors Govier, F E, Gibbons, R P, Correa, R J, Brannen, G E, Weissman, R M, Pritchett, T R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.04.1990
Subjects
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

Loading…
More Information
Summary:During the preceding 2 1/2 years 50 patients have undergone laser fragmentation of ureteral calculi at our medical center. Of these 50 patients 48 (96%) became free of stones without the need for an open operation: 44 (88%) were managed in 1 setting and 4 required adjunctive extracorporeal shock wave or ultrasonic lithotripsy, or a repeat session with the laser. Two patients (4%) eventually required an open operation: 1 required ureterolithotomy for a large impacted stone overlying the bony pelvis after a ureteroscope could not be advanced to this level and 1 had a good initial result with the laser but a persistent ureteral stricture developed and he required ureteroureterostomy 4 months later. Both open procedures were necessitated by mid ureteral stones, and the ureteral stricture was believed to be related to ureteroscopy and the impacted nature of the stone, rather than any damage by the laser probe.
ISSN:0022-5347
DOI:10.1016/S0022-5347(17)40059-0