Currently, urinary stones can be treated minimally invasively using endourological techniques (ureteroscopy, retrograde intrarenal surgery, or percutaneous nephrolithotomy). This requires a device that effectively and safely breaks up the stones. The Holmium:YAG laser has been used for this purpose and is currently considered the most effective and safe standard, as it can break up very hard stones with little risk of damaging the urinary tract. Recently, other types of lasers have become commercially available that are also effective for treating urinary stones, such as pulsed thulium lasers and thulium fiber lasers. At ICUA, we have all these types of lasers available to adapt the energy source to each individual case.
These lasers can break up stones of any composition, in any location within the urinary tract, with minimal tissue damage. This avoids the large incisions required in the past, allowing for a faster recovery and return to normal life for the patient.
