title: Serial endoscopy following visual laser ablation of prostate (VLAP)
abstract: Visual laser ablation of the prostate (VLAP) was evaluated by serial video-endoscopy and six months of clinical correlation in 7 men suffering from advanced prostatism and urinary retention. Images of the prostatic urethra were obtained before and at various intervals from two to nineteen weeks after the procedure. A substantial tissue defect evolved within three months; complete healing required an even longer period. Except in the 1 patient with middle lobe obstruction, spontaneous urination was restored in all patients (including 2 cancer patients additionally treated with androgen deprivation). No operative complications were encountered. Thus, a safe and visually successful prostatectomy was the usual result of VLAP in the present patients. As a minimally invasive method to remove an obstructing prostate, laser treatment warrants further study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery/Urology, UCLA School of Medicine.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Marks
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014741:Video Recording