title: CO2 laser subcapsular orchidectomy in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer.
abstract: Hormonal manipulation remains the main method of treatment in metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. Traditional techniques of surgical castration may result in complications due to bleeding within the scrotum. Because of its cutting and hemostatic properties, superior to that seen with traditional scalpel incisions in vessels < 1.5 mm diameter, the carbon dioxide laser has been used in performing subcapsular orchidectomy in an attempt to reduce such complications. Postoperative hormonal assays have demonstrated a response identical to orchidectomy, and no treatment complications were encountered in our series. Subcapsular orchidectomy using the carbon dioxide laser may offer an advantage over traditional methods of surgical castration by reducing the frequency of postoperative hematoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Bolton
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Costello
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone