title: GreenLight laser vaporization of the prostate: single-center experience and long-term results after 500 procedures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long-term data of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is scanty.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the long-term efficacy and the complication rate in 80-watt (W) PVP.
  
  
  METHODS
  500 consecutive patients with LUTS secondary to BPH underwent PVP between September 2002 and April 2007. The mean follow-up was 30.6+/-16.6 (5.2-60.6) mo.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients underwent 80-W PVP performed by seven surgeons.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated perioperative parameters, including operation time, delivered energy, changes of hemoglobin and serum sodium, catheterization, and hospitalization time as well as intraoperative and postoperative complications. Patients presenting for follow-up had data assessed on the International Prostate Symptom Score and quality-of-life questionnaire (IPPS-QoL), maximal flow rate (Q(max)), and post-voiding residual volume (Vres).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mean patient age was 71.4+/-9.6 (46-96) yr, with a mean preoperative prostate volume of 56.1+/-25.3 (10-180) ml. Mean operation time was 66.4+/-26.8 (10-160) min, and mean energy delivery was 206+/-94 (2.4-619.0) kJ. Despite ongoing oral anticoagulation in 45% of the patients (n=225), no severe intraoperative complications were observed. Mean catheterization and postoperative hospitalization time was 1.8+/-1.2 (0-10) and 3.7+/-2.9 (0-35) d, respectively. The mean IPSS after 3 yr was 8.0+/-6.2, the QoL score was 1.3+/-1.3, the Q(max) was 18.4+/-8.0 ml/s, and the Vres was 28+/-42 ml. The retreatment rate was 6.8%. Urethral and bladder neck strictures were observed in 4.4% and 3.6% of the patients, respectively. Localized prostate cancer was diagnosed during follow-up in six patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PVP is a safe and effective procedure for treatment of LUTS secondary to BPH. Patients on ongoing oral anticoagulation can be safely operated on. PVP leads to an immediate and sustained improvement of subjective and objective voiding parameters. The late complication rate is comparable to that of transurethral electroresection of the prostate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Basel University Hospital, Spitalstrasse 21, Basel, Switzerland. rruszat@uhbs.ch
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruszat
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seitz
authors.forename: Stephen F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Wyler
authors.forename: Constanze
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Malte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rieken
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Reich
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Gasser
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bachmann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D053448:Prostatism / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome