title: Plasma kinetic vaporization of the prostate: clinical evaluation of a new technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated our results with bipolar plasma kinetic electrovaporization in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients with infravesical obstruction by BPH have been treated with bipolar plasma kinetic electrovaporization. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) with a quality of life (QOL) scoring questionnaire, uroflowmetry (maximum flow rate; Qmax), transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), and residual urine volume and prostate specific antigen (PSA) measurements had been performed before surgery. The IPSS scores, prostate volumes, and residual urine volumes were reevaluated during the third postoperative month. Uroflowmetry was repeated on postoperative days 7, 15, 30, and 90. Total PSA and free PSA measurements were repeated on postoperative days 3, 5, 7, 15, 30, and 90.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of 20 patients could be evaluated. The median age of these patients was 61 years. The median volume of the prostates was 42 cc (95% CI 56-53). The median operation time and postoperative hospitalization were 55 minutes (95% CI 40-65) and 3 days (95% CI 3-5), respectively. The mean period of time needed for vaporizing 1 g of tissue was calculated as 2.8 +/- 1.3 minutes. Postoperative day 90 values of IPSS, QOL, prostate volume, residual urine volume, and Qmax showed significant improvement compared with preoperative values (p < 0.05). The median preoperative PSA value was 1.64 mg/mL (95% CI 1-3.6). The value showed a statistically significant increase 24 hours after the intervention (p < 0.0001), but the PSA values on the 30th (p = 0.041) and 90th (p = 0.025) days were below preoperative values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IPSS with QOL scores, prostate volumes, and residual urine volumes showed significant decreases and Qmax values showed a significant increase after bipolar plasma kinetic electrovaporization. This treatment modality causes a temporary increase in the PSA concentration, as do other interventional treatment methods, but the measurements on the 30th and 90th days were below preoperative values.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Afyon Kocatepe University Medical School, Afyon, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cetin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dincel
authors.forename: M Murat
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Samli
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guler
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demirbas
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karalar
mesh_terms: D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D020728:Transurethral Resection of Prostate / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001748:Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014835:Volatilization