Diode laser treatment of human prostates

ABSTRACT

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