In-vitro fragmentation of biliary calculi with a 308-nm excimer laser

We report the use of a 308 mu XeC1 exciiuer laser for- biliary stone fragnientation. The 130 nsec laser pulses are delivered through tJV grade fused silica fibers to the target stones inmiersed in normal saline solution and placed in direct contact with the fiber. Sixty biliary calculi, 20 cholesterol and 40 pigment, were fragmented in vitro. The effect of laser repetition rate, energy fluence, and fiber core size on stone fragmentation was studied. Fragmentation thresholds for biliary calculi of different compositions were measured. It was found that higher fragmentation efficiency was obtained with larger fluence, lower repetition rate and fiber of larger core. Our study suggests that the long pulse 308 nm excimer laser may be an effective device for laser lithotripsy with low threshold and good efficiency for biliary stone fragmentation.