High Versus Low Power Settings During Ureteroscopic Laser Lithotripsy

BACKGROUND: The Holmium:Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet (Ho:YAG) has been considered the gold-standard laser for ureteroscopy (URS) because of its versatility, with the ability to break all kinds of stones in the urinary tract as well as tumor- and soft tissue ablation. Recently, a new Thulium fiber laser (TFL) has been introduced, with more favourable basic physical characteristics. Previous pre-clinical studies have predicted TFL lithotripsy to be up to four times faster than Ho:YAG lithotripsy using the same power settings. Earlier this year the present investigators published the first clinical randomised trial comparing the outcomes after ureteroscopic lithotripsy using TFL and Ho:YAG. The study demonstrated that the TFL gained superior stone free rate (SFR) compared to Ho:YAG, in addition to lower complication rate and shorter operative times. Due to the study, the investigators believe the TFL is emerging as the laser of choice. In the study very low laser settings were shown to be highly efficient using TFL during URS lithotripsy. However, no consensus exists on the preferred laser settings for the TFL during this procedure, and a variety of different settings have been suggested included high power settings as high as 45 Watts (W).

To date, there are no clinical randomised trials comparing different laser settings for TFL to determine what is optimal regarding the clinical outcomes.

AIMS OF THE STUDY: The primary aim of the study is to compare the operative times following URS lithotripsy for renal stones with TFL using low and high power settings. Secondary aims are to compare the results of low and high power settings in terms of SFR, laser time, laser activation patterns, intraoperative and postoperative complications.

STUDY DESIGN: The study is planned as a prospective randomized trial. All patients ≥ 18 years scheduled to URS lithotripsy for renal stones, 8-25 mm, at the day surgery unit at Haukeland University Hospital (HUH) are invited to be enrolled in the study. After written informed consent, patients are randomized to URS TFL lithotripsy with either low or high power laser settings.

LASER SETTINGS: The laser settings in the two study groups are standardized and need to be maintained throughout the procedure.

Group 1 - low power (4-6W), short pulse: 0.4 - 0.6 Joules (J) at 10 Herz (Hz) Group 2 - high power (16-18W), short pulse: 0.4 J / 40 Hz 0.6 J / 30 Hz 0.8 J / 20 Hz

Standard start-up settings in Group 1 (low power) is 0.4J / 10Hz (4W) and in Group 2 (high power) 0.4J / 40Hz (16W).

THE URS PROCEDURE: The URS procedure is performed in general anaesthesia and prophylactic antibiotics prior to surgery start will be administered according to the department's guidelines, either according to urine culture or current local regime.

The procedure starts with a cystoscopy followed by semirigid URS when considered appropriate. A safety guide wire and an access sheath can be used at the surgeon's discretion but is routinely omitted during URS at HUH. Balloon dilatation is performed on demand. Both semirigid and flexible ureteroscopes can be used for the endoscopy. Room-tempered, gravitational irrigation fluid at 60 cm height is used throughout the procedure. When reaching the stone, the envelope revealing the result of randomization for either high or low laser settings is opened. A 150μm laser fiber can be used for stone disintegration. The stone is disintegrated using TFL with predefined settings as described below and according to the randomization group. To make the procedures as similar as possible, the stone should be dusted/disintegrated to as small particles as possible rather than fragmented and retrieved. Only residual particles not suitable for further disintegration can be retrieved at the end of the procedure to render the patient stone free.

A double J-stent can be placed after the procedure if deemed necessary, and if so, this is removed according to standard routine after 1-2 weeks in the outpatient clinic.

FOLLOW-UP: Follow-up with computed tomography (CT) is performed at 3 months post endoscopically for all patients to assess stone free status and exclude a ureteral stricture in addition to a clinical consultation.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND APPROVALS: All patients eligible for inclusion in the study will receive oral and written information. Participation in the study is voluntarily, and the patient can choose to withdraw at any point during the study process. Inclusion in the study will only be done after the consent form is signed.

The study is approved by The National Committees for Research Ethics in Norway (REK: 550740). In addition, application for approval by The Data Protection Authorities at Haukeland University Hospital has been sent.