title: [Thulium:YAG vaporesection of the prostate. First results].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laser treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia has been introduced. The thulium:YAG (Tm:YAG) laser combines the advantages of established laser systems. This study reports the preliminary results of vaporesection of the prostate, using this 2-microm continuous wave (cw) laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 54 consecutive patients were treated with the Tm:YAG laser. The outcomes measured were resection time, catheter time, improvement in urinary flow rate (Q(max)), and post-voiding residual urine (PVR). International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality of Life Index (QoL) were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 61 years. Mean prostate volume was 30.3 cc. Average resection time was 52 min. Catheter time was 1.7 days. Qmax significantly improved from 4.2 to 20.9 ml on average. PVR decreased from 86 to 16 ml. IPSS and QoL score improved from 19.8 to 6.5 and 4 to 1, respectively. No patient required re-hospitalization. Transfusions were not necessary.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary results indicate that Tm:YAG vaporesection of the prostate is safe and efficient. The 18-month follow-up data showed major improvement in voiding symptoms and QoL. Longer follow-up is needed to prove durability of these promising results.
authors.affiliation: Urologische Abteilung, Asklepios-Klinik Barmbek, Hamburg. t.bach@asklepios.com
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bach
authors.forename: T R W
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ganzer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blana
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burchardt
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Gross
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D004724:Endoscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013932:Thulium; D020728:Transurethral Resection of Prostate / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D013932:Thulium