Urology

The continuous progress in surgical lasers with fiber optics, combined with the widespread use of miniaturized endoscopic instruments able to go where a hand or scalpel could never reach, makes laser surgery the best support for the urologist and for the development of endourology.

Especially holmium and thulium lasers offer advanced performance with a lower intraoperative bleeding risk and shorter hospital stays and catheterization of patients,making endoscopic procedures safer and less invasive than traditional surgical techniques and open surgery.

Endosurgical laser treatments for BPH

BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) – The laser has been used since the 80s for the treatment of BPH: after several evolutions of laser sources and surgical techniques, today the holmium laser and the more recent latest generation thulium laser, are the most advanced technology and high performance tools for endoscopic prostatectomy procedures.

In the beginning the pulsed Ho:YAG laser, with its wavelength of 2,100 nm (well absorbed by the water contained in tissues),  was used for the vaporization of the prostate, through HoLAP (Holmium Laser Ablation of the Prostate), an ablation procedure that is easy to learn but does not produce great results, especially for large prostates.  Subsequently, HoLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate) was developed: an enucleation technique that, with the help of the morcellator, enables treatment of BPH, regardless of the size of the adenomas. In recent years, a new laser source has gained popularity after holmium: the thulium laser. The arrival of the second generation of 1.9 µm Thulium laser, combined with a 1,470 nm raman, helped further spread the use of  ThuLEP (Thulium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate).

The MultiPulse HoPLUS and MultiPulse Tm+1470 systems by Asclepion Laser Technologies GmbH represent the latest technology available today to urologists for transurethral operations, enabling them to operate on a prostate of any size for a precise adenoma removal  at the surgical capsule level. These devices are excellent, minimally invasive, effective and safe alternatives to traditional TURP and open prostatectomy. The prostate enucleation with Ho:YAG  or Thulium + 1470 raman laser is less prone to recurrences or complications (such as TUR syndrome or bleeding during and after surgery) and involves shorter periods of catheterization and hospitalization. Thanks to their excellent hemostatic effect, they are recommended in case of surgery on cardiopathic patients or those with coagulation problems (e.g. under those being treated with anticoagulants). Moreover, the use of the morcellator, unlike other procedures, allows for histopathological analysis to be performed on excised tissue in all cases. Additonally, JenaSurgical offers its first stand-alone morcellation system, the MultiCut Solo, since 2021. It is independent of any other laser system and can be used to enhance the set of an urologist. It works really fast and safe and morcellates very efficiently.

Endoscopic Lithotripsy and Treatments for Stones in the Urinary System

Even for the surgical treatment of urinary tract stones, the development of holmium lasers has offered safer and minimally invasive alternatives compared to traditional lithotripsy techniques.

Due to this, the Asclepion Laser Technologies GmbH product range includes holmium systems with fiber sets specially developed for laser endoscopic lithotripsy such as MultiPulse Ho (35 W) and MultiPulse HoPLUS (140 W), which support urological surgery for the treatment of a wider range of diseases.

The various lithotripsy techniques are used from time to time according to the shape, size, chemical composition and the anatomical location of the stone to be treated. The patient’s symptoms and condition such as the presence of stenosis of the urinary tract are two other important criteria for choosing the procedure. The major advantages of using a Ho:YAG laser source like the one supplied with MultiPulse Ho and MultiPulse HoPLUS consist of high efficiency for all types of stones and the low percentage of migration and retrograde propulsion of fragments treated.

If ureteroscopy (URS) is suitable for the surgical treatment of different types of ureteral stones, RIRS (Retrograde Intra-Renal Surgery) can be considered as the evolution of URS which, using latest generation endoscopes, also treats many kidney stones. Using a flexible ureterorenoscope with active and passive deflection, it is possible to reach the kidney cavity backwards.

Neither of these procedures requires incisions: a ureteroscope or a ureterorenoscope is directly inserted through the urethra into the bladder, ureter and then, if necessary, in the kidney channels. The laser light is delivered via a flexible fiber optic inserted in the endoscope until it enters in direct contact with the stone. Here, the energy emitted by holmium causes the pulverization or fragmentation. In the first case, the residue is subsequently expelled spontaneously with urination; in the second case, the fragments are collected and removed using special probes called “stone baskets”.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the procedure most often used for larger kidney stones or for those of harder consistency. Under general anesthesia, a small incision is made on the patient side at the level of the kidney, for the direct passage of a nephroscope that brings the laser in direct contact with the kidney stone for fragmentation. When the operation is completed, a special inner catheter (double- J stent) is inserted, to being a link between the kidney and the bladder to allow the outflow of urine, thus avoiding the occurrence of colic.

Urethral Stricture

The development of more effective and long-lasting treatments for urethral stricture, using minimally invasive and safe procedures, continues to be an important ​​research area. These fibrotic strictures of the urethra, resulting from spongiofibrosis originating from different causes such as inflammation or trauma, can now be quickly and effectively treated with thulium or holmium laser urethrotomy using MultiPulse Ho, MultiPulse HoPLUS or MultiPulse Tm+1470. The use of the laser is suitable for short  urethral strictures as well as for more significant strictures or for the treatment of urethral atresia. The laser performs the ablation of the damaged tissue with a clean cut, free of bleeding and without penetrating too deeply. This reduces the risk of lateral thermal damage, complications, recurrences or the formation of post-surgery fibrosis, resulting in complete restoration of normal urinary flow.

Tumors

The laser is an excellent surgical instrument widely used in surgical oncology. In urology, the Thulium lasers can be used for the excision of tumors of the urethra, bladder, ureter and kidneys. The use of wavelengths, that are transmitted through fiber optics, allows the work to be performed easily by endoscope. By adjusting the parameters, precise control of both the cutting and ablation is achieved. In particular, the MultiPulse Tm+1470 system allows for quick work with an excellent hemostatic effect (it can be adjusted simply using a pedal according to the need, by appropriately mixing the two wavelengths 1,940 nm and 1,470 nm) and extremely reduced thermal damage to the surrounding tissue.

Main Treatments

Prostate enucleation & ablation (i.e. BPH treatment) with HoLEP, HoLAP and ThuLEP procedures | transurethral and percutaneous lithotripsy | urethrotomy (urethral strictures) | excision of urethra, bladder, ureter and kidneys, tumors | partial nephrectomy in open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery

Clinical Gallery

Resection of a Bladder Tumor

Resection of a bladder tumor, performed using the MultiPulse Tm+1470 laser system. Technique used results in excellent hemostasis, limited thermal damage, reduced tissue carbonization.

[Courtesy of C. Imbimbo, M.D. – Director of Surgical AndrologyUniversità Federico II, Naples – Italy]

Related Products

MultiPulse HoPLUS
multipulse_hoplus-thumb

MultiPulse HoPLUS is a holmium laser device characterized by great flexibility and efficiency, which is a must in centers of excellence for endourology. Recommended for both surgical treatment of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) and endoscopic Lithotripsy.

MultiPulse Ho
MultiPulse-Ho-thumb

MultiPulse Ho is a surgical holmium laser with a max power of 35W, dedicated to applications in endourology and more. Is the go-to device for endosurgical lithotripsy for the treatment of urinary tract stones and stones in the bile ducts.

MultiCut Solo
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The MultiCut Solo is the first stand-alone morcellation system by JenaSurgical. It can be used to complete the set of instruments of an edourologist who is using a laser system without an integrated morcellator, even if it is not a system by JenaSurgical.

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