Optimal stone density for ablation lithotripsy with vapor tunnel Ho:YAG pulse modality.

Introduction: Vapor-Tunnel™ (VT) consists of a very long pulse that uses the minimum peak power, causing the energy to pass through a previously created vapor channel or tunnel. There are studies that have shown acceptable ablation lithotripsy efficiency. Nevertheless, there are no in-vivo studies that have compared the VT performance according to the stone density.

Methods: A retrospective study of 152 patients who underwent RIRS using VT Ho:YAG laser was performed. We divided the patients according to the stone density (Group 1: < 1000UH vs. Group 2: > 1000UH). We assessed the lithotripsy efficiency (mm³/JJ) and the laser-energy consumption (JJ/mm³). The stone-free rate (SFR) was defined as the absence of stone fragments in a non-contrast abdominal computed tomography 4 weeks after the procedure.

Results: Ninety three patients were included in Group 1 and 59 in Group 2. Body mass index was higher in Group 1 and the median stone volume was higher in Group 2 (846 vs. 672 mm³, p = 0.03). Total energy used (11.9 vs. 24 kj, p < 0.001), the laser emission time (19 vs. 30 min, p < 0.001), and the total operative time (60 vs. 85 min, p < 0.001) were lower in the Group 1. SFR was higher in Group 1 (96.7% vs. 57.6%, p < 0.001) with a global SFR of 81.6%. The ablation lithotripsy efficiency was higher in Group 1 (0.053 mm³/JJ vs. 0.035 mm³/JJ, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: VT Ho:YAG was associated with decreased laser time, operative time and laser-energy consumption in Group 1 than Group 2. Similarly, VT Ho:YAG increased lithotripsy efficiency and the SFR compared to hard stones with the same laser settings and pulse modality.