Update On Erbium:YAG lithotripsy

The Holmium:YAG laser fragments stones by a photothermal mechanism. It produces tiny fragments compared to short pulse duration lasers which fragment stones by laser induced shockwave lithotripsy. Holmium:YAG lithotripsy fragments stones of all compositions, but fragments stones slowly. In an effort to achieve photothermal lithotripsy more efficiently, Erbium:YAG lithotripsy has been tested. The Erbium:YAG laser fragments stones up to 5 times more efficiently than the Holmium:YAG laser. Its principal limitation is that it is not transmitted well by currently available fibers. Erbium:YAG lithotripsy is more efficient than Holmium:YAG lithotripsy but it is not yet practical for clinical use with current technology.