title: Transurethral laser ablation of the prostate--long-term results.
abstract: Continuing experience with the use of Nd:YAG laser-fibre prostatectomy over the past 4 years has produced encouraging results. Of the 198 patients we treated with the 60-W/60-s technique, 74 were available for evaluation after undergoing laser ablation of the prostate between October 1990 and July 1994. In all, 29/74 and 9/74 patients were available for 24 and 36 months of follow-up, respectively. The American Urological Association (AUA) symptom scores, peak uroflow (Qmax) rates and post-void residual urinary volumes show marked improvement. Following laser ablation of the prostate (LAP), complications have included 16 patients with post-procedural recurrent obstructive symptoms requiring revision. Three patients developed urinary tract infection, two developed bladder-neck stenosis, four fully anticoagulated patients with clot retention required blood transfusion and three patients had epididymo-orchitis. The results show a sustained reduction in AUA symptom scores and maintained improvement in peak flow rates and residual volumes, with stabilization of the above-mentioned parameters occurring within 12-36 months. The results demonstrate the continued durability of the outcome of LAP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Costello
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Lusaya
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Crowe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D014563:Urodynamics