Between 1989 and 1992, 116 patients suffering from bladder tumours had been treated with Nd-Yag laser. In 74 cases only laser treatment was applied, in 42 cases laser treatment was combined with transurethral resection (TUR). The patients were in phases Ta, T1 or T2 and in the majority of them histological examination did not reveal Grade 3. No considerable complications, e.g. perforation of the bladder or severe haemorrhages, were observed during laser treatment. After laser and TUR+laser treatment, respectively, relapses occurred in 16-19% of the cases, considerably less frequently than after treatment with only TUR.

The authors report their experience with the laser smashing of 105 ureteral calculi between Sept. 1 1989 and Sept. 30 1992. Applying the pulsating Nd-Yag laser through a ureteroscope as a monotherapy, they have obtained good results in 83% of the cases. Using complementary methods in addition, the successful elimination of calculi was 95%. The possible complications are discussed and the advantages and disadvantages of the different energy sources used for smashing the calculi are compared. On the basis of their results, the Authors consider that endoscopic treatment of ureteral calculi may be indicated even in the era of extracorporeal stone-smashing. They stress that endoscopic operations are only preferable compared to ESWL-treatment if all indispensable devices are available: energy sources and thin, flexible devices for energy conduction. Among them — literature confirms it — laser-energy is the most expedient and least invasive. Laser was first applied for smashing ureteral calculi in Hungary.