OBJECTIVE To evaluate the utility of the holmium laser for partial nephrectomy in a porcine model. METHODS Transperitoneal lower pole laparoscopic partial nephrectomy was performed in 5 farm pigs. All animals underwent a left-sided laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and were kept alive for 2 weeks (survival group). Subsequently, a right laparoscopic partial nephrectomy was performed (acute grou...

With the advancement in technology and miniaturization of instruments, retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) with flexible ureteroscope is gaining popularity. Flexible ureteroscope is introduced into renal collecting system through the urethra. Holmium YAG (Ho-YAG) Laser fiber of different sizes is introduced through the ureteroscope and renal stones are pulverized. Removal of renal stones less ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The 100-W holmium laser, in conjunction with a sidefiring 550-microm fiber, can ablate prostate glands as large as 40 g to relieve lower urinary-tract symptoms. We evaluated the effect of various setting combinations on ablation efficiency using beef kidney as a tissue-surrogate model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Beef kidney specimens (mean weight 44.8 +/- 3.1 g) were secured...

OBJECTIVE To assess the success rates of endoscopic management of upper ureteral stones using semirigid ureterorenoscopy and holmium: YAG laser lithotripters. METHODS A total of 74 patients with an established diagnosis of upper ureteric stone and scheduled for endoscopic ureteral stone treatment were retrospectively evaluated. Failure was defined as the inability to contact or fragment the s...

INTRODUCTION To assessment of the efficacy and safety of transurethral cystolithotripsy of large bladder stones by holmium laser in the outpatient setting. METHODS In a prospective study, 48 consecutive adult patients with large bladder stones, were enrolled for transurethral cystolithotripsy. Patients older than 18 years, with bladder stones larger than 2 cm were enrolled. Urethral stricture...

Improved energy levels and hyperfine structure constants for a selected set of Ho ii levels were measured from spectra recorded Q1 using the 1 m Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) at the US National Solar Observatory. Branching fractions for the strong blue-UV lines from these levels were also measured from the FTS data and combined with earlier radiative lifetimes from time-resolved laser-in...