title: Green light laser (KTP, 80 W) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An attractive alternative for the management of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is the use of 80 W potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of this procedure in patients with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 171 patients with obstructive BPH underwent the 80 W potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser procedures. Preoperatively the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), the maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), prostate volume and the post-void residual urine volume (PVR) were determined. Perioperative complications and postoperative blood loss, hospitalization, catheterization time, Qmax and PVR were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From the 171 patients, who underwent KTP laser procedure, 143 have been evaluated. The mean preoperative prostate volume was 43.9+/-17.1 (15-76). Eighty-nine patients (62.2%) were on chronic oral anticoagulant therapy (Coumarin or Aspirin 100). The mean applied energy was 170+/-65 kJ (100-275). There was no significant blood loss or fluid absorption during the KTP procedure. The mean Qmax values preoperatively and postoperatively were 3.4+/-4.3 and 16.3+/-7.3, respectively. PVR decreased from 74+/-47.7 mL preoperatively, to 16.6+/-21.5 mL postoperatively. Catheteriza-tion time was 1.4+/-0.8 days (0-5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  KTP laser for the prostate represents a safe and effective treatment for patients with BPH. The procedure has a low rate of postoperative complications. It can be used for high risk patients especially for them who are receiving oral anticoagulation therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, Krankehaus Nordwest, Stiftung zum Heiligen Geist, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. kostas.skriapas@hotmail.com
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skriapas
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hellwig
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samarinas
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Witzsch
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Becht
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies