ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy with holmium laser(YAG laser lithotripsy)for the treatment of renal calculi.Methods Percutaneous puncture was performed under continuous epidural anesthesia,and then a pyeloscope(Wolf F8.5/11.5)was inserted and lithotripsy was carried out by using 200-?m holmium laser fiber(0.6-1.2 J/6-10 Hz).After the procedure,the pieces of the calculi were removed.After the operation,renal fistula was maintained for 3-5 d,urethral catheter was retained for 5-7 d,and double-J catheter was kept for 4-8 weeks.Results Stone removal was achieved with one-stage operation in 130 cases [mean operation time,60 minutes(40-150 minutes);and mean hospital stay,8.5 d(7-10 d)];with two-stage operation in 15 cases [mean hospital stay,14 d(12-16 d)];and with three-stage operation in 5 [mean hospital stay,17 d(15-20 d)].In all the 150 cases,by using single tract,stone-free rate reached 86.0%(129/150)after the first-stage operation,and final stone-free rate was 92.0%(138/150).None of the patients had severe complications after the operation.Conclusion Percutaneous nephrolithotomy by using holmium laser is minimally invasive,effective and safe for patients with renal calculi.