Lasers in urology: the Munich perspective

Laser technology in urology began with the keen interest of clinically active urologists in using light, and thus lasers, to expand the range of treatments and diagnostics available for urological diseases. The scientific curiosity and vision of these pioneers lay in investigating of the interaction of light and tissue, developing laser-compatible endoscopes and optical fibres, and finally in testing clinical laser procedures for urethral strictures, penile carcinomas, tumors of kidney, ureter, urethra, bladder and prostate, benign prostate treatments and stone fragmentation, and even fluorescence diagnostics and photodynamic therapy in the bladder. The presentation brings together these historical urological clinical topics, which still represent the spectrum of developments and applications of light-based procedures in urology today, and shows on whose scientific shoulders new innovative developments continue to be developed today.