How does holmium laser lithotripsy work?

Holmium: yag laser emits light at a wavelength of 2100 nm and is a solid-state, pulsed laser. Featuring carbon dioxide and neodymium:YAG lasers, it provides both tissue cutting and coagulation. In particular, the holmium wavelength can be transmitted down optical fibers, making it perfect for endoscopic surgery. Therefore, it can effectively treat problems related to urological surgery, such as kidney stones and enlargement of the prostate.

And how does it work?

As an example, lithotripsy uses holmium lasers and a flexible laser fiber is inserted through the urethra into the urinary tract through a scope to break up stones in the urinary tract. These stones can be found in the bladder, kidneys, ureters (tubes carrying urine from the kidneys to the bladder) or urethra (the tube through which urine leaves the body from the bladder). By using a small basket or other instruments, the stone fragments are then removed. The procedure is done without any incisions (cuts).

Due to holmium, YAG lasers are multipurpose, multi-specialty surgical lasers, so that they may be used safely and effectively for a variety of soft tissue applications and stone fragmentation. These features are expected to lead to greater utilization of this system in urology in the future.