title: Holmium:YAG laser resection of the prostate: preliminary experience with the first 400 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the development of the technique of laser resection of the prostate using the holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser and to present preliminary results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred and eleven patients underwent Ho:YAG laser resection of the prostate (HoLRP). Preoperative and postoperative symptom scores, and flow rates were assessed. A description of the technique and its development is presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score reduced from 23.6 to 4.9, and the mean peak urinary flow rate improved from 7.7 ml/s to 22.6 ml/s at 6 months postoperatively. The mean hospital stay was 1.3 days and complication rates were lower than those generally associated with electrosurgical transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transurethral resection of the prostate using Ho:YAG laser produces early results equivalent to or better than those usually associated with electrosurgical TURP, with a shorter hospital stay and a lower rate of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Tauranga Hospital.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cresswell
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Cass
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Fraundorfer
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Gilling
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011469:Prostatic Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014521:Urethra; D014554:Urination