Comparing thulium fiber versus high power holmium laser in bilateral same sitting retrograde intrarenal surgery for kidney stones: Results from a multicenter study

• Published in: Investigative and clinical urology Vol. 65; no. 5; pp. 451 - 458
• Main Authors: Chai, Chu Ann, Inoue, Takaaki, Somani, Bhaskar Kumar, Yuen, Steffi Kar Kei, Ragoori, Deepak, Gadzhiev, Nariman, Tanidir, Yiloren, Emiliani, Esteban, Hamri, Saeed Bin, Lakmichi, Mohamed Amine, Chandramohan, Vaddi, Naselli, Angelo, Soebhali, Boyke, Gokce, Mehmet Ilker, Tursunkulov, Azimdjon N, de Fata Chillón, Fernando Ramón, Chew, Ben Hall, Traxer, Olivier, Castellani, Daniele, Gauhar, Vineet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Urological Association 01-09-2024; Korean Urological Association; 대한비뇨의학회
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; endoscopy; Female; Humans; Kidney Calculi - surgery; laser; Laser Therapy - adverse effects; Laser Therapy - methods; Lasers, Solid-State - therapeutic use; Male; Middle Aged; Original; Retrospective Studies; Thulium; Treatment Outcome; ureteroscopy; urinary tract stones; urolithiasis; 비뇨기과학; Endoscopy; Ureteroscopy; Urolithiasis; Laser; Urinary tract stones
• ISSN: 2466-0493; 2466-054X; 2466-054X
• DOI: 10.4111/icu.20240185

Traditionally, bilateral urolithiasis treatment involved staged interventions due to safety concerns. Recent studies have shown that same-sitting bilateral retrograde intrarenal surgery (SSB-RIRS) is effective, with acceptable complication rates. However, there's no clear data on the optimum laser for the procedure. This study aimed to assess outcomes of SSB-RIRS comparing thulium fiber laser (TFL) and high-power holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser in a multicenter real-world practice.
Retrospective analysis was conducted on patients undergoing SSB-RIRS from January 2015 to June 2022 across 21 centers worldwide. Three months perioperative and postoperative outcomes were recorded, focusing on complications and stone-free rates (SFR).
A total of 733 patients were included, with 415 in group 1 (Ho:YAG) and 318 in group 2 (TFL). Both groups have similar demographic and stone characteristics. Group 1 had more incidence of symptomatic pain or hematuria (26.5% vs. 10.4%). Operation and lasing times were comparable. The use of baskets was higher in group 1 (47.2% vs. 18.9%, p<0.001). Postoperative complications and length of hospital stay were similar. Group 2 had a higher overall SFR. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that age, presence of stone at the lower pole, and stone diameter were associated with lower odds of being stone-free bilaterally, while TFL was associated with higher odds.
Our study shows that urologists use both lasers equally for SSB-RIRS. Reintervention rates are low, safety profiles are comparable, and single-stage bilateral SFR may be better in certain cases. Bilateral lower pole and large-volume stones have higher chances of residual fragments.