Initial experience of thulium fiber laser in retrograde intrarenal surgery for ureteral and renal stones in Japan: surgical outcomes and safety assessment compared with holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet with MOSES technology

Abstract Background Thulium fiber laser (TFL) has been used for the treatment of ureteral and renal stones in Japan since October 2023. However, there are no reports on the initial results of TFL in Japan. This study aimed to assess the initial results of TFL in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS)...

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Main Authors: Daisuke Kudo, Go Anan, Yoshiharu Okuyama, Taro Kubo, Toshimitsu Matsuoka
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Urology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-025-01738-2
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Summary:Abstract Background Thulium fiber laser (TFL) has been used for the treatment of ureteral and renal stones in Japan since October 2023. However, there are no reports on the initial results of TFL in Japan. This study aimed to assess the initial results of TFL in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and to compare them with those of holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho: YAG) laser with MOSES technology. Methods This retrospective single-center study compared perioperative results, complications, and the “stone-free” rate (defined as ≤ 2 mm fragments on computed tomography 1 month after RIRS) between the TFL (60 W) (group A, n = 48) and Ho: YAG laser with MOSES technology (120 W) (group B, n = 48) laser. The inclusion criteria were renal or ureteral stones ≤ 20 mm in diameter and those scheduled for single-stage RIRS. Results The two groups had similar baseline patient characteristics. No significant differences were found in operative time (45 vs. 54 min, P = 0.10), laser time (15 vs. 10 min, P = 0.12), stone-free rate (97.9% vs. 95.8%, P = 1.00), ureteral injury (2.1% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.36), or postoperative fever (0% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.49) between groups A and B. However, significant differences were found in basketing time (7 vs. 21 min, P < 0.01) between groups A and B. Conclusions Our study showed that RIRS with TFL had similar results and no difference in complications compared to RIRS with Ho: YAG laser with MOSES technology. The TFL had a significantly shorter basketing time than the Ho: YAG laser with MOSES technology. Furthermore, future research is needed to determine suitable laser settings for the TFL.
ISSN:1471-2490