Tt. Wu et al., MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGE IN THE UROTHELIUM AFTER ELECTROHYDRAULIC VERSUS PULSED DYE-LASER LITHOTRIPSY, British Journal of Urology, 74(6), 1994, pp. 685-689
Objective To observe morphological changes in the urothelium after exp
osure to laser beam and electrohydraulic spark. Materials and methods
The pulse dye laser lithotripter (MDL-2, Candela Corporation, Boston,
USA) and the electrohydraulic lithotripter (AEH-2, Circon ACMI Corpora
tion Stamford, USA) were used directly on the bladder mucosa in six pi
gs. Immediately after treatment, the bladder mucosa was prepared for l
ight microscopic and scanning electron microscopic examination. Result
s Both electrohydraulic spark and laser beam caused mucosal denudation
, submucosal swelling and haemorrhage, There was a positive correlatio
n between the degree of urothelial damage and the power and pulse numb
ers applied. Conclusion Direct contact of the urothelium in patients t
reated with laser beam or electrohydraulic spark should be avoided.