title: Photoselective vaporization of the prostate using the 180W lithium triborate laser.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) is widely used to treat benign prostatic obstruction (BPO), but there is little experience reported on the new more powerful 180W lithium triborate (LBO) laser. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of using the 180W LBO laser to treat BPO by examining a multicentre Australian experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of prospectively collected data on all men treated by 180W LBO laser PVP by eight urologists across six Australian hospitals, from July 2011 to August 2011, was performed. Perioperative and functional outcomes were examined at baseline and 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 85 men (median age 70 years, prostate volume 51 cm(3)) identified, 27% (23/85) were in urinary retention and 44% (37/85) were taking antiplatelet/anticoagulant medication. Median operating time was 46 min, laser time 27 min, energy use 211 kJ, post-operative duration of catheterization 15 h and hospitalization 22 h. Functional outcomes from baseline to 3 months, respectively, were for IPSS 25-7; QoL 5-2; Qmax 7.7-18.4; and PVR 147-38. All improvements were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Thirty-eight percent (32/85) of patients experienced at least one adverse event. Most adverse events were low Clavien-Dindo grade I-II. There were five grade III, two grade IV and no grade V adverse events. Sixty per cent (51/85) of men were able to be discharged home voiding successfully without a catheter within 24-h post-PVP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our early multicentre Australian experience indicates the 180W LBO laser PVP is an efficacious and safe treatment for BPO.
authors.affiliation: Sydney Adventist Hospital Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Amanda S J
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chabert
authors.forename: Hin-Wai
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Yap
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Awad
authors.forename: Fadi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nuwayhid
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Redwig
authors.forename: Prem
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rashid
authors.forename: Henry H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Woo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001881:Borates; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000601:surgery*; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D001881:Borates; D018020:Lithium Compounds; C021051:lithium borate