ABSTRACT
Objectives To review our initial experience with the Ho:YAG laser in treating superficial bladder tumors.Methods Ho:YAG laser was applied for treating 52 cases of bladder tumors which were confirmed by cystoscopy and pathology with totally 87 tumors.All tumors were in stage Ta～T 2 and tumors grade G1～G2.The optical fiber was put into bladder through cystoscopy.Ho:YAG laser was used endoscpically to cut and vaporize bladder tumor and normal bladder mucosa near the tumor.Results Nine of 52 patients were performed under local anesthesia in outpatient.Operation time was apparently short (mean 25 minutes) Histopathology of biopsies showed no cancer cells left.There were no intraoperative complication such as bleeding,perforation and delay complication.Catheter time is very short,about 1～3 days or without catheter at all.None of the ureteral orifice were damaged in seven cases of bladder tumors near the ureteral orifice.Six patients were recrred during our follow-up in 50 patients (12%).Conclusions It has been demonstrated that Ho:YAG laser therapy is provided with advantages of simple procedure,the absence of complication,high patient satisfaction,and ability to be used in the outpatient.It is more convenience than TUR-Bt in tumors in the neck of bladder or apex of bladder.