BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To report the first experiences with a newly available Ho:YAG laser system for the treatment of salivary stones. STUDY DESIGN/ MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study in a tertiary referral center was conducted. Patients diagnosed with sialolithiasis were treated in Erlangen using the Calculase III™ Ho:YAG laser (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany). Preset parameters had a frequency of 4 Hz and energy of 0.8-1.2 J, resulting in 3.2-4.8 W. Following total fragmentation, one to two serial sialendoscopies were performed to achieve complete fragment clearance. RESULTS: A total of 55 stones in 49 patients were treated; 17 stones in 15 submandibular glands and 38 in 34 parotids. In total, 61 laser lithotripsies (range 1-3 per stone) were performed using various modes (long, short, and burst) and with preset parameters of 4 Hz and energy of 0.8-1.2 J, resulting in effective power of 3.2-4.8 W. Complete fragmentation was achieved in all the accessible stones. Sialendoscopes, fibers, or the mode used had no significant influence on success rates. A multimodal therapy concept was employed to treat stones in 12.24% of the cases; 95.92% of the patients were ultimately stone-free, and all became symptom-free. All glands were preserved. CONCLUSIONS: The new Calculase III™ Ho:YAG laser was effective in the treatment of sialolithiasis with no increased risk of complications in the patients or damage to the sialendoscopes. Clinical factors such as the type of gland involved, or the location and size of stones had a greater impact on success rates than the technical or preset parameters. Lasers Surg. Med.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To report the first experiences with a newly available Ho:YAG laser system for the treatment of salivary stones. STUDY DESIGN/ MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study in a tertiary referral center was conducted. Patients diagnosed with sialolithiasis were treated in Erlangen using the Calculase III™ Ho:YAG laser (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany). Preset parameters had a frequency of 4 Hz and energy of 0.8-1.2 J, resulting in 3.2-4.8 W. Following total fragmentation, one to two serial sialendoscopies were performed to achieve complete fragment clearance. RESULTS: A total of 55 stones in 49 patients were treated; 17 stones in 15 submandibular glands and 38 in 34 parotids. In total, 61 laser lithotripsies (range 1-3 per stone) were performed using various modes (long, short, and burst) and with preset parameters of 4 Hz and energy of 0.8-1.2 J, resulting in effective power of 3.2-4.8 W. Complete fragmentation was achieved in all the accessible stones. Sialendoscopes, fibers, or the mode used had no significant influence on success rates. A multimodal therapy concept was employed to treat stones in 12.24% of the cases; 95.92% of the patients were ultimately stone-free, and all became symptom-free. All glands were preserved. CONCLUSIONS: The new Calculase III™ Ho:YAG laser was effective in the treatment of sialolithiasis with no increased risk of complications in the patients or damage to the sialendoscopes. Clinical factors such as the type of gland involved, or the location and size of stones had a greater impact on success rates than the technical or preset parameters. Lasers Surg. Med.