Complications of Diode Laser in Endourological Procedures in Co-morbid Patients

ABSTRACT

To determine safety of diode laser by studying post operative complications after endourological procedures in co-morbid patients. A descriptive study. Shalamar hospital, Lahore from June 2009 to June 2012. We studied post-operative complications [up to 3 months] in 3 groups [prostatic obstruction, bladder growths ,urethral strictures] of total180 patients with ASA III and IV. We assessed hematuria, UTI, abdominal pain, suprapubic discomfort, urinary retention, dysuria, incomplete procedure, cardiac or respiratory compromise, fluid overload, mortality, catheterization times and mean postoperative hospital stay In prostate group, mean age was 70.8 +/- 8.6 years and follow-up period was 3 months. Complications were mild transient haematuria in 65 [100%], creamy urine in 50 [77%], urinary tract infection in 25 [38.4%], dysuria in 16 [24.6%], retreatment required in 06 [9.2%], suprapubic discomfort in 3 [4.5%], TURP syndrome in 1 [1.5%] and significant hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion in 1 [1.5%],. In urethral strictures, the complications were microscopic hematuria in 80 [100%], urinary tract infection in 52 [65%] suprapubic discomfort in 9 [11.2%], dysuria in 6 [7.4%] mild transient hematuria in 5 [6.2%]. In bladder growths, the complications were mild transient haematuria in 30 [85.7%], creamy urine in 19 [54.2%], suprapubic discomfort in 18 [51.4%], dysuria in 9 [25.7%], urinary UTI in 8 [22.8%], ablation performed in two sittings in 1 [2.8%]. No mortality in any group. Diode laser is a safe and useful modality in patients with co-morbidities [ASA III and IV]