KTP laser photovaporization for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A personal experience

Objective: To report the photovaporizarion experience with the 80 Watts Greenlight. laser for the treatment of BPH patients needing surgery in the dept. of Urology at Centre Hospitalier d'Auxerre with 18 Months follow-up Methods: photovaporization is obtained through a side firing (70 degrees) quartz fiber transmitting the 80 Watts green light KTP laser energy (532 nm wavelength) Results: 81 patients with a mean age of 70 have been treated with photovaporization. Mean prostate volume was 54 ml and 32 patients (40%) were previously treated with anticoagulant or anti platelet medications which had not been modified for the procedure. No transfusion or irrigation were needed. Urinary symptoms have been reduced by 80% and maximum flow-rate has been increased 2.7fold after 18 Months follow-up Discussion: Learning curve is fast and a short medico-economic study showed a benefit of 655 (sic) per patient in spite of the use of a costly disposable laser fiber Conclusion: 80 W Greenlight. laser photovaporizarion appears as a bloodless alternative to TURP, and can be applied to patients who would otherwise have been contra-indicated for a TURP.