Initial experience in combined ultra-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy with the use of 120-W laser and the anti-retropulsion "Moses effect": the future of percutaneous nephrolithotomy?

Lasers Med Sci. 2020 Dec;35(9):1961-1966. doi: 10.1007/s10103-020-02986-4. Epub 2020 Feb 28.

Abstract

The purpose is to present our preliminary results where ultra-mini PCNL (UMPCNL) with the new 120-watt laser with the anti-retropulsion (Lumenis® MOSES Pulse™120H Holmium: YAG laser) was used for the first time to our knowledge. Twelve patients underwent ultra-mini PCNL in prone position under general anesthesia using a 12-F nephroscope with a 14-F Access sheath in our tertiary center. The fragmentation was performed with a 500 μm laser fiber using the 120-watt Lumenis® MOSES Pulse™120H Holmium: YAG laser). Efficacy was considered in terms of stone-free rates (SFR), complication rate, duration of the operation, and hospital stay. Our SFR was 91.6% with 11 patients out of 12 being completely free of any residual stone. The duration of the operation was 86.4 ± 36.8 (40-165) min, whereas the mean laser time (real stone fragmentation laser time) was 755.7 ± 954.7(241-3425) sec. The total laser energy used was 39.7 ± 52 KJoules (11.3-182). The fluoroscopy time and radiation doses were 358.5 ± 180.4 (154-750) sec and 64.7 ± 41.2 (14.7-159.0) mGy, respectively. The mean reduction in levels of hemoglobin postoperatively was 0.6 ± 0.3 (0.1-0.9) g/dL, and no complications were observed. The combination of UMPCNL with the new 120-watt laser and the unique anti-retropulsion technology (Lumenis® MOSES Pulse™120H Holmium: YAG laser) delivered very promising results and it could be the future of PCNL.

Keywords: Anti-retropulsion technology; Laser fragmentation; Ultra-mini PCNL; Urinary lithiasis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Calculi / therapy
  • Lasers, Solid-State*
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nephrolithotomy, Percutaneous*
  • Postoperative Care