Comparative Study between Pneumatic and Holmium Laser Lithotripsy in Treatment of Ureteric Stones Prospective study

Abstract

Urolithiasis is a health problem of worldwide importance.The urological treatment of urinary calculi has changed considerably in the past 20 years. Various endourological treatments are available for urinary calculi.Despite the liberal use of ESWL, ureteroscopic lithotripsyis still the preferred treatment for managing ureteric stones at many hospitals, and achieves an immediate stone-free state in a high percentage of patients. Technological advances and more sophisticated equipmenthave led to greater success rates and a low morbidity in the ureteroscopic treatment of upper urinary tract stones. (Binbay et al.,2011) The indications for ureteroscopic lithotripsy have increased with smaller semi-rigid ureteroscopes and reliable laser technology and the production of more robust flexible instruments has further expanded the indications for endoscopic intervention. (Bagley, 2002) The most commonly used intracorporeal lithotripsy used nowdays are the holmium and pneumatic lithotripsy, Holmium laser uses photothermal energy to fragment stones, the thermal effect is limited to a few millimeters with a penetration depth of only 0.5 mm. (Zhong et al, 1998