title: [Benign prostatic hyperplasia: five year follow-up in patients who underwent contact laser vaporization].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the long-term efficacy and complications of contact laser prostatectomy in the treatment of the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
  
  
  METHODS
  32 patients in a prospective clinical trial of contact laser prostatectomy were followed for 5 years. Patients were assessed by physical examination, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, post void residual urine, transrectal ultrasound and PSA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From the initial cohort, three patients had died from concomitant diseases. Three patients (9%) had undergone reoperation (TURP). Seven Patients (22%) received alpha blockers for irritative symptoms. IPSS and maximum flow improved significantly and remained stable at five years. There were not statistically significant differences in prostate volume or PSA level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contact laser prostatectomy is a safe and effective treatment for BPH in the long-term. It has minimal morbidity and durable therapeutic effects. Nevertheless, in our experience postoperative irritative voiding symptoms (22%) are the major disadvantage.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Urología, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Remigio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vela Navarrete
authors.forename: Juan Vicente
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: García Cardoso
authors.forename: Francisco Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Calahorra Fernández
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Miñón
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cabrera Pérez
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: González Enguita
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors