Diode laser treatment of human prostates

Laser-assisted vaporization of prostate tissue by means of the potassiumtitanyl-phosphate [KTP] laser is in clinical use. Alternative laser sources are available but are lacking clinical experience. The 980 nm wavelength diode laser provides good hemostasis, in addition to a more rapid ablation rate. The aim of this study is approving the capability, feasibility, and good post-operative outcome of vaporization of prostate by means of a diode laser in a long-term follow up. The light [980 nm, 100 W] of a diode laser was transmitted to prostate tissue. The study included 70 men suffering from bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]. The prostatic lobes were vaporized within the prostatic capsule. Post-operative outcome and voiding were evaluated during a follow-up period of 24 months. During surgery, no significant blood loss or any fluid absorption occurred. Catheters were removed in the 20.1 +/- 4.6 hours. All patients except two were satisfied with their voiding outcome. After removing the catheter, the mean peak urine flow rate significantly increased from 6.8 +/- 2.5 ml/s pre-operatively to 15.6 +/- 3.1 ml/s postoperatively. No evidence of urgency, dysuria, hematuria, or incontinence was observed. Four patients required re-catheterization, and two of them needed consecutive TURP. After a 1- month, as well as after a 6-month, a 12-mouth, and a 1-year follow-up, all patients were still satisfied with the outcome. This long term experience showed that 100 W-980 nm-diode-laser vaporization prostatectomy was feasible and appeared to be safe and effective for quickly relieving bladder outlet obstruction due to BPH

Trans-ureteral ureterolithotripsy of ureteral calculi: which is the best; pneumatic or holmium laser technique?

Our aim was compare of two types of lithotripter include holmium: YAG laser and pneumatic one in transurethral ureterolithotripsy [TUL] for the management of ureteral calculi >/-1 cm. 112 patients with ureteral calculi more than 1 cm were selected in randomized order for pneumatic or holmium: YAG laser transurethral ureterolithotripsy [56 patients in each group]. Ultrasonography and intravenous urography were performed for all patients before surgery. Complete clearance and success was defined as the absence of any fragments on post operation KUB and ultrasonography images. Success rate was 85.7% in pneumatic group and 100% in holmium: YAG laser group [p =0.003]. Stone migration up in the pelvicalyceal system was observed only in 8 cases of pneumatic group. No statically differences were observed in terms of patient's age, hospital stay, and complications between two groups. According to our experience, for ureteral stone larger than 1 Cm treatment with ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy is a preferring approach with favorable operation time and hospital admission, and no more significant complication

Urethroscopic holmium: YAG laser ablation of large urethral stone after two-stage urethroplasty

Hairball in a urethral diverticulum has rarely been reported. These hairballs are usually formed in the diverticulum coated with a hair bearing epithelium and can lead to urinary obstruction or infection. Using laser is a safe way to ablate such stones