Neodymium:Yttrium Aluminum Garnet laser for mini-percutaneous treatment of upper urinary tract stones

To observe the efficacy and safety of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy with Neodymium:Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd-YAG) laser in the treatment for upper urinary tract stones, from December 2005 to September 2006, 31 patients with renal stones, 15 patients with ureteral stones and 7 patients with renal and ureteral stones underwent mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy with Nd-YAG laser by combination of rigid ureteroscope and flexible ureteroscope under B-ultrasound guidance. Clinical data including operation time, lithotripsy time, complications and stone-free rate were analyzed retrospectively. Our study showed that the percutaneous renal access (F14-F18) was successfully established under 13-ultrasound guidance in all cases. Immediate phase I lithotripsy was performed in 47 cases through single tract, and in one case through two tracts. Delayed phase II lithotripsy was done in 5 cases of renal stones. Operation time ranged from 55 to 180 min with an average time of 100 +/- 15 min. Lithotripsy time was from 25 to 135 min and the average lithotripsy time was 65 +/- 11 min. No severe complications occurred in our series. Complex renal stones were cleared in 34 of 38 cases (89.5 %). All ureteral stones were completely removed in 15 cases (100 %). It was concluded that mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy with Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones by combination of rigid ureteroscope and flexible ureteroscope has the advantages of effectiveness, mini-invasion, shorter operative time and safety.