Table 2.
Techniques and settings of Ho: YAG Laser Disintegration
| Technique | Energy (J) | Frequency (Hz) | Pulse width | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fragmentation | High (0.8–1.4) | Low (6–10) | Short | Hard stones Creates fragments UAS needed Increased retropulsion Increased fiber tip degradation Increased OT Bladder stones and PCNL |
| Dusting | Low (0.2–0.5) | High (10–70)1 | Long | Soft stones Creates fine dust Decreased retropulsion Less need for UAS Increased OT in hard stones Decreased fiber tip degradation Preferred initial technique |
| Pop-Corning | High (1.0–1.5) | High (15–40)1 | Long | Larger residual fragments Use in 2 mm distance from the bulk Use in an non-dilated calyx High fiber tip degradation |
| Pop-Dusting | Low (0.2–0.5) | High (50–80)1 | Long | Smaller residual fragments Effect of pop-corning Low fiber tip degradation |
1
Frequency settings depend on the availability of the machine and the location (ureteral/kidney) of the stone
Ho: YAG: Holmium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet: UAS: ureteral access sheath; PCNL: percutaneous nephtrolithotomy; OT: operation time