LASER DIVISION OF INTRALUMINAL SUTURES

Neodymium:YAG and holmium:YAG lasers were used to remove intraluminal sutures from three patients. In two, the suture was in the bladder and had served as a nidus for stone formation. In the other, the suture w as in the ureter, An in vitro study showed that the Nd:YAG laser could divide all types of suture readily, whereas the Ho:YAG laser could di vide all materials except Gortex. These cases illustrate another appli cation for lasers.