T. Flam et al., TULIP(R) - TRANSURETHRAL ULTRASOUND-GUIDE D LASER-INDUCED PROSTATECTOMY - HUMAN STUDY - RESULTS AT ONE-YEAR, Journal d'urologie, 99(2), 1993, pp. 61-66
The TULIP(R) (Transurethral Ultrasound-guided Laser-Induced Prostatect
omy) system combines a real-time ultrasound tranducer and a Nd:YAG las
er delivery system with a 1.064 mum wavelength within a 22 F urethral
probe. The goal is to produce a coagulation necrosis of the prostatic
parenchyma, with a subsequent elimination of tissue in the urine. 29 p
atients have been included in this study, and 13 have a minimal one ye
ar follow-up. No complication occurred. 2 patients underwent a transur
ethral resection of the prostate secondary to the TULIP(R) treatment.
All patients complained of irritative urinary symptoms (frequency, bur
ning on urination...) in the days or weeks following the treatment, an
d suprapubic catheterization tube had to be left in place for a mean d
uration of 13.8 days. Inclusion/exclusion criteria and evaluation moda
lities have been the same as in the American national study published
elsewhere. At one year, our success rate for at least one criteria has
been 84,6 %, but only 2 (15 %) out of 13 patients have been successfu
l both in symptom score and flow rate.