Holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho: YAG) laser lithotripsy in the treatment of broncholithiasis

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of Ho: YAG Laser in the treatment of broncholithiasis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 6 patients who underwent Ho: YAG Laser lithotripsy in Peking University First Hospital during May 2012 to October 2015. 4 females and 2 males, with a median age of 60 years, were enrolled. Among 6 patients, persistent cough(n=2), hemoptysis(n=2), recurrent pneumonia(n=2) were the main clinical symptoms. Broncholiths were found in the left side in 1 patient and right side in 5 patients. 2 broncholiths were located in main bronchus and 4 in segmental bronchus. There were 2 patients with intraluminal broncholiths and 4 with transbranchial broncholiths. All 6 patients received Ho: YAG Laser(0.8-1.2 J pulse energies, 5-10 Hz frequencies, 365 μm laser fibers) under rigid bronchoscopy in general anesthesia and experienced relief of symptoms. Results: Complete removal of broncholith was accomplished in intraluminal broncholith group and 1 patient in transbracnhial broncholith group, the other 3 transbracnhial broncholiths were partly removed. Complications included perioperative massive hemolysis(n=1), bronchoesophageal fistula(n=1) and postoperative pneumonia (n=2), no long term complications were encounted. Conclusion: The Ho: YAG were associated with acute complications including fistula, perioperative massive hemolysis, infections and no long-term side effects. It represents a safe and effective therapy option for broncholithiasis.