Update on photoselective vaporization of the prostate

Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) with a potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser may be the most promising new technology applied to the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The specific laser light characteristics and the ideal interactions between KTP lasers and prostatic tissue result in an even and efficient vaporization of the prostate and the formation of a clearly deobstructed prostate cavity. PVP can be a daycare procedure, with few hours of catheterization and minimal postoperative discomfort, offering outcomes at least equivalent to the reference standard transurethral resection of the prostate. Although larger studies are necessary to further define where PVP stands in the management of BPH, this review focuses on contemporary treatment techniques and their limitations, and comments on the outcomes of its current use. Copyright © 2008 by Current Medicine Group LLC.