What is Thulium Fiber Laser?
The Thulium Fiber Laser method is usually used for operational procedures, such as fragmenting the urinary stones and cutting and vaporizing the soft tissue. Its large frequency range ensures that even very solid stones can be effectively fragmented. Considering the large frequency range, the stone is pushed away while laser pulses are delivered to the stoned; thus, it is easier to break the stone into extremely small fragments. Thus, duration of the procedure is shortened.
How does Thulium Fiber Laser Work?
The Thulium Fiber Laser method involves advancing a laser probe inside an endoscopic instrument and delivering the energy to the tissue or the stone. The surgical site is magnified by 10-12x on the screen of the endoscopic device in the Thulium Laser procedure. Since the laser probe is quite thin, it does not affect the movement capability inside the target tissue.
The Thulim Laser causes relatively milder damage in tissue thanks to the high frequencies. The Thulium Laser can be operated continuously by producing both pulsed and continuous energy. This feature facilitates the cutting and the coagulation.
The Thulium Laser procedures do not require any incision; the procedures are performed by inserting the device into the urinary tract.
Fields of Use of the Thulium Fiber Laser Device
The Thulium Fiber Laser is a medical device used in treatment of a benign tumor (adenoma) in the prostate gland. Since the prostate gland enlarges, the interior part of the prostate gland obstructs the urinary tract and the patient cannot, therefore, urinate. Total removal of this tissue (enucleation) is a long-term and effective method. Since it is effective in total removal of the prostate adenoma that obstructs the urinary tract, the Thulium Laser is among the most commonly preferred methods. The enucleated tissue is reduced into the urinary bladder, fragmented with another instrument, called morcellator, and vacuumed out.
The Thulium Laser causes absorption of the fluid substantially in the target zone. Thus, the bleeding can be stopped very quickly. This procedure that is performed with the Thulium Fiber Laser is called the Thulium Fiber Laser Enucleation prostate (ThuFLEP). The bleeding is relatively minimal in this procedure; the recovery is short.
Since the penetration depth of the Thulium Laser is 0.1-0.2 mm, the burnt tissue is shallow. Thus, the postoperative urine leak is minimized.
The Thulium Laser is used in tumors of the upper urinary system and the urinary bladder in addition to the treatment of the benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Thulium Laser helps the surgeon minimize and stop the bleeding. Since it does not cause a significant damage in the tissue, it is not expected to have an negative effect on the pathology specimen.
What You Should Take Into Consideration Before Surgery
There is not any special condition that requires attention of the patient before the surgery. The Thulium Laser is a safer treatment option especially for patients who have to take blood thinners. General anesthesia is not induced in patients who are undergone the ThuFLEP procedure. Local anesthesia is administered for perform this procedure.
After Procedure
Unless otherwise is postoperatively instructed by the doctor, the patient is discharged within 1 to 2 day(s). Patients can easily urinate in early postoperative period.
