Evaluation of sapphire tip Nd:YAG laser fibers in partial nephrectomy.

Sapphire tips for Nd:YAG lasers fibers have been introduced recently. The increased energy density improves the cutting effect while, reportedly, preserving the hemostatic properties of Nd:YAG laser energy. The capacity of sapphire tip laser fibers to facilitate partial nephrectomy was tested in mongrel dogs. No advantage for this technique was demonstrated compared to standard methods of partial nephrectomy.