Long-term results of high-power holmium laser vaporization (ablation) of the prostate.
OBJECTIVE
To present the 7-year follow-up data from the initial series of patients treated by holmium laser ablation of the prostate (HoLAP) for symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia at our institution.


METHODS
In all, 79 patients underwent HoLAP in the initial series between September 1994 and May 1995. All patients were contacted by telephone and mail; those available for follow-up had their peak urinary flow rate, American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score, single-question quality-of-life (QoL) score and adverse events assessed. Patients were also assessed using the International Continence Society 'male short-form' (ICSmaleSF) questionnaire on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).


RESULTS
At a median follow-up of 89 months (7.4 years), 17 patients had died (21%), 28 could not be contacted or refused follow-up (35%), leaving 34 patients (43%) available for assessment. The mean (range) AUA score of the remainder was 10.0 (0-26), the maximum urinary flow rate 16.8 (5-35) mL/s and QoL score 2.1 (0-5). The mean ICSmaleSF voiding score was 5.8 and the mean incontinence score 3.2. The impact score of their current LUTS (QoL) was 0.68, implying a minimal effect. No patient required pads for incontinence. The reoperation rate was 15%, with one patient each undergoing transurethral resection or bladder neck incision, two undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and one having a bladder stone removed endoscopically.


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term results of HoLAP were satisfactory in those patients who were available for the follow-up.
Tan
A H H
AH
Department of Urology, Tauranga Hospital, Tauranga, New Zealand.
Gilling
P J
PJ
Kennett
K M
KM
Fletcher
H
H
Fraundorfer
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology