Expanding urolithiasis treatment: comparison of super pulsed thulium laser and holmium:YAG laser for ureteral stone management

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this review is to compare the effectiveness of SuperPulsed thulium fiber laser (SP TFL) and holmium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Ho:YAG) laser in lithotripsy, with the aim of evaluating the differences between the two in key indicators, such as lithotripsy efficiency a...

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Main Authors: Qinghua Gan, Jun Li, Gaoqiang Zhai, Bangfeng Liu, Yan Qin, Shuting Tan, Wei Wang, Qinsong Zeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:European Journal of Medical Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02591-7
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author Qinghua Gan
Jun Li
Gaoqiang Zhai
Bangfeng Liu
Yan Qin
Shuting Tan
Wei Wang
Qinsong Zeng
author_facet Qinghua Gan
Jun Li
Gaoqiang Zhai
Bangfeng Liu
Yan Qin
Shuting Tan
Wei Wang
Qinsong Zeng
author_sort Qinghua Gan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objectives The purpose of this review is to compare the effectiveness of SuperPulsed thulium fiber laser (SP TFL) and holmium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Ho:YAG) laser in lithotripsy, with the aim of evaluating the differences between the two in key indicators, such as lithotripsy efficiency and safety, and providing reference for clinical selection of better lithotripsy methods. Methods By searching multiple authoritative medical databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases) and including the results of relevant clinical studies and laboratory studies, the indexes involving SP TFL and Ho:YAG lasers in the included literature were analyzed. Results We found a total of 24 relevant pieces of literature. The laser parameters, such as ablation efficiency, ablation speed, operative time, dust quality, retropulsion, visibility, temperature safety, and stone-free rate, were compared between laboratory studies and clinical outcomes. Preclinical studies have shown that SP TFL has a higher rate of stone ablation, a weaker retropulsion and a lower risk of fiber breakage. The results of clinical studies showed that the two methods were comparable in the ablation rate, laser time and operative time, stone-free rate and complication. SP TFL offered better endoscopic view quality and less retropulsion. Conclusions While the Ho:YAG laser remains the primary choice for endoscopic laser lithotripsy, the emergence of SP TFL offers a promising new option for the minimally invasive treatment of urinary calculi. Parameter range, retropulsion effect, laser fiber adaptability, and overall system performance demand comprehensive attention. SP TFL has a relatively short clinical application history, and further research is necessary to fully explore its long-term advantages, clinical significance, and possible limitations.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2047-783X
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher BMC
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series European Journal of Medical Research
spelling doaj-art-cb8766bd6ae24d62bd9f82aafa7312c42025-08-20T03:53:57ZengBMCEuropean Journal of Medical Research2047-783X2025-05-0130111510.1186/s40001-025-02591-7Expanding urolithiasis treatment: comparison of super pulsed thulium laser and holmium:YAG laser for ureteral stone managementQinghua Gan0Jun Li1Gaoqiang Zhai2Bangfeng Liu3Yan Qin4Shuting Tan5Wei Wang6Qinsong Zeng7Department of Urology, Guangxi Hospital Division of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Urology, Guangxi Hospital Division of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Urology, Guangxi Hospital Division of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Urology, Guangxi Hospital Division of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Urology, Guangxi Hospital Division of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Urology, Guangxi Hospital Division of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Urology, Guangxi Hospital Division of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Urology, Guangxi Hospital Division of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityAbstract Objectives The purpose of this review is to compare the effectiveness of SuperPulsed thulium fiber laser (SP TFL) and holmium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Ho:YAG) laser in lithotripsy, with the aim of evaluating the differences between the two in key indicators, such as lithotripsy efficiency and safety, and providing reference for clinical selection of better lithotripsy methods. Methods By searching multiple authoritative medical databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases) and including the results of relevant clinical studies and laboratory studies, the indexes involving SP TFL and Ho:YAG lasers in the included literature were analyzed. Results We found a total of 24 relevant pieces of literature. The laser parameters, such as ablation efficiency, ablation speed, operative time, dust quality, retropulsion, visibility, temperature safety, and stone-free rate, were compared between laboratory studies and clinical outcomes. Preclinical studies have shown that SP TFL has a higher rate of stone ablation, a weaker retropulsion and a lower risk of fiber breakage. The results of clinical studies showed that the two methods were comparable in the ablation rate, laser time and operative time, stone-free rate and complication. SP TFL offered better endoscopic view quality and less retropulsion. Conclusions While the Ho:YAG laser remains the primary choice for endoscopic laser lithotripsy, the emergence of SP TFL offers a promising new option for the minimally invasive treatment of urinary calculi. Parameter range, retropulsion effect, laser fiber adaptability, and overall system performance demand comprehensive attention. SP TFL has a relatively short clinical application history, and further research is necessary to fully explore its long-term advantages, clinical significance, and possible limitations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02591-7Superpulse thulium laserHolmium:yttrium–aluminum–garnetUreteral stonesLithotripsy
spellingShingle Qinghua Gan
Jun Li
Gaoqiang Zhai
Bangfeng Liu
Yan Qin
Shuting Tan
Wei Wang
Qinsong Zeng
Expanding urolithiasis treatment: comparison of super pulsed thulium laser and holmium:YAG laser for ureteral stone management
European Journal of Medical Research
Superpulse thulium laser
Holmium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet
Ureteral stones
Lithotripsy
title Expanding urolithiasis treatment: comparison of super pulsed thulium laser and holmium:YAG laser for ureteral stone management
title_full Expanding urolithiasis treatment: comparison of super pulsed thulium laser and holmium:YAG laser for ureteral stone management
title_fullStr Expanding urolithiasis treatment: comparison of super pulsed thulium laser and holmium:YAG laser for ureteral stone management
title_full_unstemmed Expanding urolithiasis treatment: comparison of super pulsed thulium laser and holmium:YAG laser for ureteral stone management
title_short Expanding urolithiasis treatment: comparison of super pulsed thulium laser and holmium:YAG laser for ureteral stone management
title_sort expanding urolithiasis treatment comparison of super pulsed thulium laser and holmium yag laser for ureteral stone management
topic Superpulse thulium laser
Holmium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet
Ureteral stones
Lithotripsy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02591-7
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