title: Outpatient visual laser-assisted prostatectomy under local anesthesia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Visual laser-assisted prostatectomy (VLAP) with a noncontact right-angle delivery system recently has been introduced as a new treatment option for symptomatic outlet obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. The right-angle laser technology has numerous potential advantages over traditional transurethral resection of the prostate. These advantages include the feasibility of performing the VLAP procedure under local anesthesia without bleeding. We summarize our experience with VLAP performed with local anesthesia administered with periprostatic block.
  
  
  METHODS
  This technique was employed in 46 men with symptomatic BPH as an outpatient procedure. All men were evaluated prior to surgery with flow rates, residual volume determinations, and AUA-6 symptom score analyses. Follow-up occurred at three and six months and included repeat measures of flow rates, residual volumes, and symptom scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean AUA symptom scores and uroflow parameters significantly improved with six months' follow-up. No significant complications were encountered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VLAP under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure is a promising treatment alternative for men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sirls
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ganabathi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roskamp
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dmochowski
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000502:physiology