Unfavorable factors in accessing the pelvicalyceal system during retrograde flexible ureteroscopy (fURS)

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Abstract

Flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) is a well-established procedure for treating multiple upper-urinary tract pathologies, particularly renoureteral lithiasis. Endoscopes have undergone significant advancements, including miniaturization, improved optics, and increased maneuverability. In addition, advancements in accessory instruments, such as the performance of laser fibers, guidewires, and extraction probes, have played a significant role in improving the overall performance of flexible ureteroscopy procedures. However, despite these advancements, unique circumstances can make achieving optimum results during flexible ureteroscopy challenging. These include congenital renal anomalies (horseshoe kidneys, ectopic kidneys, rotation anomalies), as well as the unique intrarenal anatomy (infundibulopelvic angle, infundibular length) or the specifications of the endoscope in terms of maneuverability (active and passive deflection). This review explored challenging scenarios during flexible ureteroscopy procedures in the pyelocaliceal system.

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Thulium fiber laser: the new player for kidney stone treatment? A comparison with Holmium:YAG laser

Olivier Traxer, Etienne Keller (2019)

Purpose To compare the operating modes of the Holmium:YAG laser and Thulium fiber laser. Additionally, currently available literature on Thulium fiber laser lithotripsy is reviewed. Materials and methods Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for articles relating to the operating modes of Holmium:YAG and Thulium fiber lasers, including systematic review of articles on Thulium fiber laser lithotripsy. Results The laser beam emerging from the Holmium:YAG laser involves fundamental architectural design constraints compared to the Thulium fiber laser. These differences translate into multiple potential advantages in favor of the Thulium fiber laser: four-fold higher absorption coefficient in water, smaller operating laser fibers (50–150 µm core diameter), lower energy per pulse (as low as 0.025 J), and higher maximal pulse repetition rate (up to 2000 Hz). Multiple comparative in vitro studies suggest a 1.5–4 times faster stone ablation rate in favor of the Thulium fiber laser. Conclusions The Thulium fiber laser overcomes the main limitations reported with the Holmium:YAG laser relating to lithotripsy, based on preliminary in vitro studies. This innovative laser technology seems particularly advantageous for ureteroscopy and may become an important milestone for kidney stone treatment. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00345-019-02654-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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The laser of the future: reality and expectations about the new thulium fiber laser—a systematic review

Peter Kronenberg, Olivier Traxer (2019)

The Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser has been the gold-standard for laser lithotripsy over the last 20 years. However, recent reports about a new prototype thulium fiber laser (TFL) lithotripter have revealed impressive levels of performance. We therefore decided to systematically review the reality and expectations for this new TFL technology. This review was registered in the PROSPERO registry (CRD42019128695). A PubMed search was performed for papers including specific terms relevant to this systematic review published between the years 2015 and 2019, including already accepted but not yet published papers. Additionally, the medical sections of ScienceDirect, Wiley, SpringerLink, Mary Ann Liebert publishers, and Google Scholar were also searched for peer-reviewed abstract presentations. All relevant studies and data identified in the bibliographic search were selected, categorized, and summarized. The authors adhered to PRISMA guidelines for this review. The TFL emits laser radiation at a wavelength of 1,940 nm, and has an optical penetration depth in water about four-times shorter than the Ho:YAG laser. This results in four-times lower stone ablation thresholds, as well as lower tissue ablation thresholds. As the TFL uses electronically-modulated laser diodes, it offers the most comprehensive and flexible range of laser parameters among laser lithotripters, with pulse frequencies up to 2,200 Hz, very low to very high pulse energies (0.005–6 J), short to very long-pulse durations (200 µs up to 12 ms), and a total power level up to 55 W. The stone ablation efficiency is up to four-times that of the Ho:YAG laser for similar laser parameters, with associated implications for speed and operating time. When using dusting settings, the TFL outperforms the Ho:YAG laser in dust quantity and quality, producing much finer particles. Retropulsion is also significantly reduced and sometimes even absent with the TFL. The TFL can use small laser fibers (as small as 50 µm core), with resulting advantages in irrigation, scope deflection, retropulsion reduction, and (in)direct effects on accessibility, visibility, efficiency, and surgical time, as well as offering future miniaturization possibilities. Similar to the Ho:YAG laser, the TFL can also be used for soft tissue applications such as prostate enucleation (ThuFLEP). The TFL machine itself is seven times smaller and eight times lighter than a high-power Ho:YAG laser system, and consumes nine times less energy. Maintenance is expected to be very low due to the durability of its components. The safety profile is also better in many aspects, i.e., for patients, instruments, and surgeons. The advantages of the TFL over the Ho:YAG laser are simply too extensive to be ignored. The TFL appears to be a real alternative to the Ho:YAG laser and become a true game-changer in laser lithotripsy. Due to its novelty, further studies are needed to broaden our understanding of the TFL, and comprehend the full implications and benefits of this new technology, as well its limitations.

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Comparison of New Single-Use Digital Flexible Ureteroscope Versus Nondisposable Fiber Optic and Digital Ureteroscope in a Cadaveric Model

Silvia Proietti, Laurian Dragos, Wilson Molina … (2016)

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate LithoVue, the new single-use digital flexible ureteroscope, in a human cadaveric model and compare it with a nondisposable fiber optic and digital flexible ureteroscopes. Materials and Methods: LithoVue, a conventional fiber optic, and digital flexible ureteroscopes were each tested in four renal units of recently deceased female cadavers by three surgeons. The following parameters were analyzed: accessibility to the kidney and navigation of the entire collecting system with and without ureteral access sheath (UAS), lower pole access measuring the deflection of the ureteroscope with the working channel empty, and with inside two different baskets and laser fibers. A subjective evaluation of maneuverability and visibility was assessed by each surgeon at the end of every procedure. Results: Kidney access into the Renal unit 1 was not possible without UAS for all ureteroscopes because of noncompliant ureter at the level of sacroiliac joint. The reusable digital ureteroscope was unable to reach one calix of the lower pole and one calix of the upper pole (Renal units 2 and 3) without UAS placement. Lower pole access with baskets and laser fibers was possible for each ureteroscope after UAS placement. No statistically significant differences were detected in angle deflection between ureteroscopes. The digital ureteroscope was preferred for visibility in all procedures: LithoVue for maneuverability in six procedures, fiber optic in five procedures, and the digital ureteroscope in one procedure. Conclusions: LithoVue seems to be comparable with conventional ureteroscopes in terms of visibility and manipulation into the collecting system in fresh human cadavers. Further studies in humans are needed to determine the clinical value of this new instrument.

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Author and article information

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): J Med Life

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): J Med Life

Journal ID (publisher-id): JMedLife

Title: Journal of Medicine and Life

Publisher: Carol Davila University Press (Romania )

ISSN (Print): 1844-122X

ISSN (Electronic): 1844-3117

Publication date (Print): March 2023

Volume: 16

Issue: 3

Pages: 372-380

Affiliations

[1 ]Sanador Hospital, Bucharest, Romania

[2 ]Department of Urology, Emergency Clinical Hospital Sf. Ioan, Bucharest, Romania

Author notes

[* ] Corresponding Author: Cristian Mareș, Department of Urology, Emergency Clinical Hospital Sf. Ioan, Bucharest, Romania. E-mail: dr.marescristian@ 123456gmail.com

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Publisher ID: JMedLife-16-372

DOI: 10.25122/jml-2023-0005

PMC ID: 10165511

PubMed ID: 37168298

SO-VID: d78175cb-1f39-4166-ab78-9873e41fffe5

License:

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), which permits unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.

Unfavorable factors in accessing the pelvicalyceal system during retrograde flexible ureteroscopy (fURS)

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Most cited references 73

Thulium fiber laser: the new player for kidney stone treatment? A comparison with Holmium:YAG laser

The laser of the future: reality and expectations about the new thulium fiber laser—a systematic review

Comparison of New Single-Use Digital Flexible Ureteroscope Versus Nondisposable Fiber Optic and Digital Ureteroscope in a Cadaveric Model

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