Which Laser Works Best for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?

The advantages offered by lasers compared to older technologies for endoscopic surgery for symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) are reviewed. Laser treatments for the endoscopic management of patients with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) resulting from BPH can be divided into three basic techniques. These techniques are vaporisation (removal of tissue), resection of tissue (excision of small chips and subsequent irrigation from bladder) and enucleation (dissection of the adenoma from the surgical capsule and subsequent morcellation). The decision to offer a transurethral laser approach to patients with BPH depends on their comorbidities, the surgeon's expertise with the different procedures, and the availability of the relevant technology.