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Thulium Fiber Laser Behavior on Tissue During Upper- and Lower-Tract Endourology

Current Urology Reports volume 23, pages 271–278 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To present the latest evidence on thulium fiber laser (TFL) effects on tissue, during lithotripsy and ablation, emphasizing on generated temperatures, thermal damage thresholds, incision depths, areas of coagulation, and laser damage.

Recent Findings

Lasers are frequently utilized during endoscopic treatment of different urological conditions. The holmium:yttrium–aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) is most frequently used for various types of stones and soft tissue. The TFL has been recently introduced, offering several advantages. However, its activity on tissue during upper and lower tract endourology is poorly understood.

Summary

At equivalent power settings, TFL and Ho:YAG generate similar temperature changes during lithotripsy. TFL has a shallow incision depth during tissue ablation. Compared to SP TFL, (cw) TFL results in a broader coagulation zone, whereas SP TFL gives of Ho:YAG-similar incision, and (cw) TFL offers a quick, precise cut with more carbonization.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Athens Medical Centre, Athens, Greece

    Vasileios Gkolezakis

  2. Department of Urology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, UK

    Patrick Rice & Bhaskar Kumar Somani

  3. Department of Urology and Andrology, General Hospital Hall i.T., Hall in Tirol, Austria

    Theodoros Tokas

  4. Training and Research in Urological Surgery and Technology (T.R.U.S.T.)-Group, Hall in Tirol, Austria

    Theodoros Tokas

Authors
  1. Vasileios Gkolezakis
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  2. Patrick Rice
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  4. Theodoros Tokas
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Contributions

V Gkolezakis: Data management, data analysis, manuscript writing. P Rice: Data management, interpreting data. B K Somani: Interpreting data, critical manuscript revision. T Tokas: Protocol/project development, manuscript writing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Theodoros Tokas.

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Gkolezakis, V., Rice, P., Somani, B.K. et al. Thulium Fiber Laser Behavior on Tissue During Upper- and Lower-Tract Endourology. Curr Urol Rep 23, 271–278 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-022-01117-6

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