COMBINED ENDOSCOPIC LASER-ABLATION OF THE PROSTATE (ELAP) AND TEMPORARY PROSTATIC STENTING

Delayed relief of bladder outflow obstruction has limited the use of l aser ablation of the prostate (FLAP). This clinical study was to evalu ate the combination of temporary prostatic stenting (a new one size st ent) with ELAP in 25 consecutive patients with outflow obstruction, in cluding cases of urinary retention, which might accelerate the time to symptomatic benefit or relief of symptoms. Flow rate, residual volume and symptom score were repeated at 6 weeks. The stent was removed und er local anaesthetic al 3 months. Twenty-two of 25 voided immediately post-operatively, including 4 of 5 with previous urinary retention. Ea rly stent migration occurred in one case. Late symptomatic migration w as not seen. Mean Q(max) improved from 8 ml/s to 16.5 ml/s at 6 weeks. Voiding scores and residual volumes fell. Previously reported 'prosta titis' symptoms were not identified. The use of temporary prostatic st enting enables catheter-free ELAP with early improvement of flow and r eduction of voiding score.