What will the Thulium Fiber Laser mean to you?
Shorter operating room times will mean patients will be under anesthetic for a reduced period of time.
This equipment will allow the Cowichan District Hospital to treat larger stones that would have previously required a trip to Victoria or Vancouver for percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
The stone fragments are smaller which will mean that fewer patients return to the hospital with an obstructing stone in the post-operative period.
The tissue penetration depth is less than earlier devices. Minimizing tissue damage may lead to fewer patients requiring uncomfortable post-operative stents.
IN MOST ADULTS, KIDNEY STONE FORMATION IS NOT THOUGHT TO BE AN INHERITED CONDITION.
IF YOU HAVE HAD ONE STONE, YOU ARE AT AN APPROXIMATELY 50% RISK FOR DEVELOPING ANOTHER WITHIN 5 TO 7 YEARS.
APPROXIMATELY ONE IN TEN CANADIANS WILL DEVELOP A KIDNEY STONE.
MEN ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO DEVELOP KIDNEY STONES THAN WOMEN.
KIDNEY STONES INCREASE THE RISK OF DEVELOPING CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE.