Transurethral balloon laser thermotherapy: effects of a directionally shielded balloon in canine prostates.
BACKGROUND
Transurethral balloon laser thermotherapy (TUBAL-T) improves objective, but not subjective, symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We studied whether or not an Nd:YAG laser beam with a shielded balloon could successfully irradiate the prostate during TUBAL-T in selective manner, to improve the subjective symptoms.


METHODS
TUBAL-T was performed on canine prostates using the balloon with a laser probe, which was shielded anteriorly at 90 degrees (from the center of the balloon) and posteriorly at 90 degrees.


RESULTS
At 20 watts laser power, the relative power density in the bilateral non-shielded areas was 17.4 and 17.8, and in the shielded area it was 1.0. Observation by thermography revealed that the temperature after laser radiation in a non-shielded area of a fish cake phantom was higher than in a shielded area. Following transurethral thermotherapy using a shielded balloon in dogs, a cavity was formed bilaterally around the urethra, and the tissues at the anteroposterior sides and the urethra were preserved.


CONCLUSIONS
TUBAL-T, which has been performed in clinical cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia, might be useful in selective irradiation of adenoma if a shielded balloon is used.
Suzuki
T
T
Department of Urology, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.
Kurokawa
K
K
Suzuki
K
K
Nakano
K
K
Daikuzono
N
N
Yamanaka
H
H
D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004285:Dogs; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000601:surgery*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery*