Laser lithotripsy of gallstone by means of a pulsed neodymium-YAG laser--in vitro and animal experiments.

Using a flashlamp pulsed Nd: YAG laser it is possible to destroy gallstones within a few seconds (median: 4 sec for stones less than 1.5 cc; 9.5 sec greater than 1.5 cc). In in vitro and animal studies it was shown that the median energy needed for stone destruction varies between 32 Joule for stones less than 1.5 cc and 80 Joules for stones greater than 1.5 cc. A 0.2 mm thick, flexible glass fibre makes possible retrograde laser lithotripsy by conventional endoscopes. Using a suitable technique the danger of thermal damage to tissue is small.