Background The tools used for fragmentation and stone extraction have been improving over time. Commonly available lithotripsy power sources are classified as ultrasonic, kinetic, electrohydraulic, or combination, however, laser is the most widely used lithotripsy device in mini-PCNL as it is a small diameter power source.
Laser lithotripsy The holmium laser has been very effective in the fragmentation of stones of variable hardness and very safe due to its low depth of penetration (0.5 mm).
One of the advantages of the Ho: YAG laser is that it offers relatively quick lithotripsy while minimizing tissue trauma. Furthermore, it is effective against all stone compositions, including cystine and calcium oxalate monohydrate, where ultrasonic lithotripsy may have difficulties.
The removal of smaller fragments is possible using a vacuum effect where the fragments are moved from a high pressure zone in the pyelocaliceal system to a lower pressure zone in the sheath. If there are too many fragments, this requires multiple insertions and extractions of the nephroscope to facilitate the recovery of all of them. This repeated step can cause inadvertent movements that affect the results.
Combined ballistic-ultrasonic lithotripsy LithoClast Trilogy EMS is the newest model of percutaneous lithotripsy technology that provides electromagnetic and ultrasonic ballistic energy, as well as suction capacity under the control of the surgeon through a single pedal. Laboratory studies have suggested that combined ballistic-ultrasonic lithotripsy offers faster stone clearance than other combined and ultrasonic devices. In an in vitro comparison, LithoClast Trilogy EMS had the fastest average removal time of 23.79 seconds. This was followed by ShockPulse (46.04 seconds), Select-US (54.86 seconds), and Select-USP (102.48 seconds).
In a multi-institutional study, LithoClast Trilogy EMS was evaluated, the experience of surgeons with this device was perceived as highly satisfactory, with an excellent safety and durability profile. The average stone removal rate was 68.9 mm2 / minute. High tissue safety and an optimized aspiration configuration were reported in a prospective clinical trial. In this study, the mean stone volume clearance ratios were 370.5 ± 171 mm3 / min and 590.7 ± 250 mm3 / min for mini-PCNL and PCNL, respectively.
LithoClast Trilogy EMS has a single probe design and connects to the handpiece and oscillates with a piezoelectric ultrasonic generator at a rate of 24 kHz. At the same time, an electromagnetic generator produces ballistic motion of the entire probe at an adjustable speed of up to 12 Hz. As with other ultrasound-based devices, suction is available through the hollow probe, with the foot pedal controlling the aspiration and activation of lithotripsy. The strength of the ultrasonic vibration, the aspiration and the ballistic energy discharge frequency are adjustable through a touch screen on the generator. Various probe sizes are available (3.3 F, 4.5 F, 5.7 F, 10.2 F, and 11.7 F catheter).
JUSTIFICATION The desire to reduce complications related to percutaneous access and morbidity related to tract size has led researchers to evaluate PCNL using smaller-caliber instruments. In this context, mini-PCNL has emerged. Its efficacy and safety have been demonstrated at the cost of a lower stone-free rate.
The effectiveness of existing Ho: YAG lasers is limited by the need for manual removal of stone fragments and mobilization of them due to the lack of a simultaneous aspiration system. Consequently, this has been associated with long surgical times to achieve stone-free status. This requires multiple insertions and extractions of the nephroscope to facilitate the recovery of all fragments. This repeated step can cause the safety rails to be inadvertently removed or the sheaths to be disinserted. Sometimes compromising surgical results.
Faced with this situation, the search for better and more efficient energy sources still continues. With this, modern lithotripters have emerged that combine energy sources and work more efficiently than any of them independently and, consequently, improve stone removal. Cyberwand ™ (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan), Swiss Lithoclast® Master / Select (EMS SA, Switzerland / Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) and Shockpulse-SE ™ (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) are some examples; although they have their own set of advantages, none have proven to be superior to any other.
As previously discussed, ballistic-ultrasonic lithotripsy combines ultrasonic and ballistic energy together with a suction system with encouraging results in terms of a shorter lithotripsy time and the respective economic impact of fewer surgical events and less operating time required for the stone removal.
Therefore, it is convenient to make a comparison between the results of lithotripsy with Ho: YAG laser energy and lithotripsy with LithoClast Trilogy EMS; and thereby determine which is the most effective method in the resolution of kidney stones through a miniaturized percutaneous tract.
PROBLEM STATEMENT What is the difference of the lithotripsy rate with LithoClast Trilogy EMS compared to 100 W Holmium laser for patients with kidney stones GUY's 1 and 2 in percutaneous mini nephrolithotomy?
HYPOTHESIS H0: Lithotripsy performed with LithoClast Trilogy EMS in patients with GUY's 1 and 2 kidney stones undergoing percutaneous mini nephrolithotomy has a higher lithotripsy rate than that performed with a 100W Holmium laser.
Hi: Lithotripsy performed with LithoClast Trilogy EMS in patients with GUY's 1 and 2 kidney stones undergoing percutaneous mini nephrolithotomy has a lower lithotripsy rate than that performed with a 100W Holmium laser.
