PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) has always been recommended for large stones > 20 mm, using the Ho:YAG laser. The introduction of a new technology in the urological market, the thulium fiber laser (TFL) has revolutionized the endourology world because of its characteristics and significantly shorter laser-on time (LOT) and operative time, without scarifying the champ vision. The aim of this review is to evaluate the most relevant findings of the last 2 years of each laser technology, confronting Ho:YAG vs TFL, analyzing who is more suitable for performing an efficient RIRS. RECENT FINDINGS: Five full clinical trials using TFL for RIRS were found. Median LOT was between 2.8 and 34 min. All stones were similar in terms of stone volume, >500 mm3, and stone density, > 800 HU. Low complication rate, mostly Clavien-Dindo grade I and II and not related to the laser itself. One clinical trial only analyzed the efficacy of TFL for > 20 mm renal stones. SUMMARY: Based on this review, TFL performs a more efficient RIRS than the Ho:YAG laser with similar safety.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) has always been recommended for large stones > 20 mm, using the Ho:YAG laser. The introduction of a new technology in the urological market, the thulium fiber laser (TFL) has revolutionized the endourology world because of its characteristics and significantly shorter laser-on time (LOT) and operative time, without scarifying the champ vision. The aim of this review is to evaluate the most relevant findings of the last 2 years of each laser technology, confronting Ho:YAG vs TFL, analyzing who is more suitable for performing an efficient RIRS. RECENT FINDINGS: Five full clinical trials using TFL for RIRS were found. Median LOT was between 2.8 and 34 min. All stones were similar in terms of stone volume, >500 mm3, and stone density, > 800 HU. Low complication rate, mostly Clavien-Dindo grade I and II and not related to the laser itself. One clinical trial only analyzed the efficacy of TFL for > 20 mm renal stones. SUMMARY: Based on this review, TFL performs a more efficient RIRS than the Ho:YAG laser with similar safety.
Authors: Davide Perri; Lorenzo Berti; Andrea Pacchetti; Elena Morini; Matteo Maltagliati; Umberto Besana; Antonio Luigi Pastore; Javier Romero-Otero; Giovanni Saredi; Danilo Centrella; Maria Chiara Sighinolfi; Bernardo Rocco; Salvatore Micali; Paolo Broggini; Marco Boldini; Federica Mazzoleni; Giorgio Bozzini Journal: World J Urol Date: 2022-08-27 Impact factor: 3.661