Photoselective vaporization of the prostate: the basel experience after 108 procedures.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate safety and efficacy of 80 watt high-power potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser vaporization of the prostate in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).


METHODS
108 patients underwent 80W KTP laser vaporization. Functional follow-up included measurement of maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual volume (Vres) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) within a 12 months period.


RESULTS
The average prostate volume was 52.2+/-24.3 ml and the preoperative PSA value was 3.6+/-3.6 ng/dl. Mean operation time was 54.5+/-25.0 min. Qmax increased highly significantly (p<0.001) by 111% (+7.9 ml/s) at discharge, 212% (+15.1 ml/s) after three months, 201% (+14.3 ml/s) after six months and 252% (+17.9 ml/s) after 12 months. Correspondingly, Vres, IPSS and Bother Score improved to an extent that was statistically highly significant (p<0.001) immediately after surgery. The observed complication rate within one year was low.


CONCLUSIONS
80 W KTP laser vaporization is a virtually bloodless, safe and effective procedure for surgical treatment of LUTS secondary to BPH. A significant improvement of objective and subjective voiding parameters was observed just after surgery. KTP laser vaporization is associated with a low rate of complications.
Bachmann
Alexander
A
Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstr. 21, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland. bachmanna@uhbs.ch
Ruszat
Robin
R
Wyler
Stephen
S
Reich
Oliver
O
Seifert
Helge H
HH
Müller
Alexander
A
Sulser
Tullio
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010710:Phosphates; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014563:Urodynamics; D014570:Urologic Diseases
D010710:Phosphates; C064806:potassium titanylphosphate; D014025:Titanium