Abstract
High-power holmium lasers have become popular for ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy and dusting. Our aim was to investigate the effect of pulse duration and pulse energy on fiber-tip degradation when using high-power settings for popcorn lithotripsy. BegoStones were fragmented in a glass bulb to simulate renal calyx, using a 120 W Ho:YAG laser. A 242 μm fiber was placed via the ureteroscope 2 mm distance from stones (popcorn model). To assess the effect of pulse duration on fiber-tip degradation, long pulse (LP) and short pulse (SP) settings were compared at settings of 1.0Jx20Hz (20 W), 0.5Jx70Hz (35 W), and 1.0Jx40Hz (40 W). To assess the effect of pulse energy on tip degradation, 40 W SP settings (0.5Jx80Hz, 0.8Jx50Hz, and 1.0Jx40Hz) were tested. Pulse duration was measured using a photodetector and peak power was then calculated using the pulse duration and pulse energy. Experiments were conducted for 4 min. Fiber-tip length was measured before and after using a digital caliper. Fiber-tip degradation was least when using LP for all settings tested (p < 0.01). For 40 W settings, tip degradation was significantly lower when using a pulse energy of 0.5 J compared to 0.8 J or 1.0 J (p < 0.004). LP mode results in less fiber burnback for all power settings tested. Total power is more important than frequency in the development of burnback. However, high-power 40 W settings can be utilized with less burnback if lower pulse energies are used. Understanding these parameters can improve the longevity of the laser fiber and improve procedural efficiency.
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This study was supported by a scientific research grant from Boston Scientific.
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This study was supported by a scientific research grant from Boston Scientific.
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All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Ali H. Aldoukhi and Khurshid R. Ghani designed the study. Brandon A. Levin, Ali H. Aldoukhi, and Khurshid R. Ghani drafted the manuscript. Kristian M. Black analyzed the data. William W. Roberts, Tim L. Hall, and Khurshid R. Ghani critically revised the manuscript. All authors commented on and approved the final manuscript.
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Khurshid R. Ghani is a consultant for Lumenis, Boston Scientific, Olympus and Coloplast. William W. Roberts is a consultant for Boston Scientific
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Levin, B.A., Aldoukhi, A.H., Black, K.M. et al. Burnback: the role of pulse duration and energy on fiber-tip degradation during high-power laser lithotripsy. Lasers Med Sci 36, 1817–1822 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-03199-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-03199-5