Which procedure uses laser energy to break down urinary stones?

Which procedure uses laser energy to break down urinary stones?

• A. Cystoscopy
• B. Pyeloplasty
• C. Laser lithotripsy
• D. Nephrolithotomy

Answer: (C)

The concept being tested is how urinary stones can be fragmented using energy delivered directly to the stone. Laser lithotripsy uses a laser fiber passed through a scope to deliver laser energy that breaks the stone into small pieces, which can then be retrieved or pass spontaneously. This makes it a minimally invasive option for stones in the kidney or ureter. Other procedures have different purposes: cystoscopy is mainly a visualization procedure to inspect the bladder and urethra (not about breaking stones with laser energy); pyeloplasty is reconstructive surgery to relieve obstruction at the junction where the pelvis meets the ureter; nephrolithotomy involves surgically removing stones, typically via an incision, rather than fragmenting them with laser energy.

The concept being tested is how urinary stones can be fragmented using energy delivered directly to the stone. Laser lithotripsy uses a laser fiber passed through a scope to deliver laser energy that breaks the stone into small pieces, which can then be retrieved or pass spontaneously. This makes it a minimally invasive option for stones in the kidney or ureter.

Other procedures have different purposes: cystoscopy is mainly a visualization procedure to inspect the bladder and urethra (not about breaking stones with laser energy); pyeloplasty is reconstructive surgery to relieve obstruction at the junction where the pelvis meets the ureter; nephrolithotomy involves surgically removing stones, typically via an incision, rather than fragmenting them with laser energy.