Pljevlja General Hospital is set to perform its first laser lithotripsy procedure on Friday, marking an important step in the modernization of healthcare services in northern Montenegro. The introduction of the minimally invasive treatment means patients requiring advanced urological care will no longer necessarily have to travel to larger medical centers for procedures that can now be performed locally.
The procedure uses a holmium laser to precisely break urinary stones into smaller fragments, making them easier to remove. The medical team will be led by Dr. Aleksandar Magdelinić, Director of the Urology Clinic of the Clinical Center of Montenegro, together with urologists Dr. Zoran Tabaš and Dr. Žarko Čolović.
The new service was made possible through the purchase of a Lumenis Pulse 30H holmium laser system valued at €58,080. The Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG) contributed €50,000 toward the modernization of medical equipment and improvement of working conditions at the hospital.
Advanced Laser Lithotripsy Comes to Northern Montenegro
The Lumenis Pulse 30H is a 30 watt holmium:YAG laser system designed for the fragmentation of urinary stones of different types and sizes. According to Boston Scientific, the device can deliver energy of up to 5 joules per pulse and operate at repetition rates of up to 25 hertz, allowing doctors to fragment stones efficiently while helping reduce the backward movement of stone fragments during treatment.
The system can also be moved between operating rooms and features a touchscreen interface and a green aiming beam designed to improve visibility during endoscopic procedures. Its capabilities extend beyond lithotripsy, as it can also be used for cutting, vaporizing and coagulating soft tissue, giving the hospital additional options for modern urological treatment.
For patients, laser lithotripsy can offer greater precision and less trauma than traditional open surgery, while potentially allowing shorter recovery times and reducing the need for more invasive surgical procedures. The introduction of the technology therefore represents an important expansion of the services available at Pljevlja General Hospital.
The laser lithotripsy program is part of a broader modernization of healthcare infrastructure in Pljevlja and throughout Montenegro. The European Investment Bank has approved a €27 million loan to support the modernization and equipment of healthcare facilities across the country, including the construction of a new general hospital in Pljevlja.
The planned hospital will replace outdated facilities and cover approximately 26,540 square meters, with 16 functional units and 140 beds. The project, contracted at nearly €40 million, will include modern operating rooms and specialized clinics, while more than 30 public healthcare institutions are expected to benefit from investments in equipment such as MRI, CT and X-ray systems.
For Pljevlja, a municipality of roughly 30,000 residents in northern Montenegro, improved access to specialized medical care is particularly significant. The region has historically faced greater healthcare access challenges than the country’s coastal areas, and patients have often had to travel long distances for specialized treatment.
The introduction of laser lithotripsy at Pljevlja General Hospital therefore represents more than the arrival of a new medical device. It gives local patients access to advanced urological treatment closer to home and forms part of a wider effort to modernize healthcare and reduce regional disparities in access to medical services.
