A URODYNAMIC STUDY OF LASER-ABLATION OF THE PROSTATE AND A COMPARISONOF TECHNIQUES

Objective To evaluate the effect of laser ablation of the prostate on symptomatic and urodynamic parameters and to compare laser delivery sy stems. Patients and methods The study comprised 81 patients of whom 79 were waiting for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURF) and t wo who presented in acute urinary retention. The 79 patients (median a ge 65 years, range 45-82) underwent pre-operative urodynamics and all patients completed American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score questionnaires before surgery. Visually-guided laser ablation of the prostate (VLAP) was performed and the urodynamics and symptom scores w ere repeated 3 months later. Results The improvements in symptom score s and now rates were statistically significant and comparable with oth er published data. There were also significant improvements in voiding pressure. There were no significant differences between the various l aser fibres used. There were few complications. Conclusion The effecti veness of VLAP in improving symptoms and now rates in patients with be nign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is confirmed. The procedure also redu ced voiding pressure, confirming the relief of bladder outflow tract o bstruction. VLAP is confirmed as a safe and effective treatment for BP H. Continued follow-up is needed to determine the long-term effects.