Pulsed dye laser lithotripsy for treatment of urolithiasis in two geldings

Transendoscopic pulsed dye laser lithotripsy was effective in the treatment of calcium carbonate urothlithiasis in 2 adult geldings. Perineal urethrotomy provided convenient access for standing transendoscopic lithotripsy and evacuation of a large cystic calculus in one gelding. In the second horse, an obstructive urethral calculus was fragmented and removed by a transurethroscopic approach. Pulsed dye laser lithotriptor is effective in fragmentation of the most common form (calcium carbonate) of uroliths in horses and may be performed in standing horses with reduced surgical invasiveness and trauma to the urinary tract, compared with conventional approaches. The principle disadvantages include cost of the procedure, which is comparable to laparocystotomy, and the time delay required to make arrangements for use of the pulsed dye laser lithotriptor.