NEODYMIUM-YAG VISUAL LASER-ABLATION OF THE PROSTATE

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate safety and efficacy of laser prostatectomy in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) vi sual laser ablation of the prostate was performed in 43 patients (mean age 66 +/- 11.5 years) with BPH. The mean prostatic volume was 44.7 /- 19.7 mi. A right-angle, side-firing laser fiber (Lasersonics Ultral ine(R)) and a neodymium:YAG laser generator (Hercules 5060(R)) were us ed. Results: There were no perioperative complications including hemor rhage and transurethral reflux syndrome. The average postoperative hos pital stay was 1.3 days, and the average urethral catheterization time was 3.8 days. Thirty-two patients were evaluated 6 months after the o peration. A significant improvement was found in the mean symptom scor e from 21.8 +/- 7.6 to 8.3 +/- 6.9 (p < 0.001). A significant decrease from 104.3 +/- 78 to 55.7 +/- 30 mi was found between the preoperativ e and the postoperative mean residual urine volumes (p < 0.001). The m ean peak flow rate increased from 8.7 +/- 3.9 to 16.1 +/- 2.4 ml/s (p < 0.001), and the mean average flow rate increased from 4.9 +/- 2 to 1 0.2 +/- 2.9 ml/s (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results indicate that la ser prostatectomy is a promising alternative in the treatment of BPH.