title: Vaporization of the prostate with 150-w thulium laser: complications with 6-month follow-up.
abstract: Purpose: To analyze the efficacy and safety of vaporization of the prostate (VP) with the 150-W thulium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Tm:YAG) laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective series of 55 patients with small- and medium-size prostates undergoing major outpatient surgery (MOS), the primary objectives were to analyze changes in maximum flow (Qmax) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) after 6 months. Immediate (<30 days) and late (>30 days) complications were subsequently recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An increase in mean Qmax of 9.33 mL/s (95% confidence interval [CI] of the mean difference 6.73-11.93; P<0.001) was recorded, and mean IPSS was reduced by 16.88 points (95% CI 14.22-19.54; P<0.001). The immediate complications recorded were acute urinary retention (one patient), urinary tract infection without fever (two patients), and macroscopic hematuria (two patients). The only late complication observed was bladder neck sclerosis (one patient).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After 6 months, VP with 150-W Tm:YAG presents promising results in the clinical improvement of patients with small- and medium-size prostates. Its complication rate is low and it offers excellent hemostasis. The data from our study provide the basis for the design of clinical trials to compare this technique with other procedures.
authors: Department of Urology, Hospital de Viladecans , Viladecans, Barcelona, Spain .
authors: César
authors: C
authors: Vargas
authors: Alejandro
authors: A
authors: García-Larrosa
authors: Santiago
authors: S
authors: Capdevila
authors: Ainhoa
authors: A
authors: Laborda
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000535:Aluminum; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D013932:Thulium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D020728:Transurethral Resection of Prostate / Q000379:methods; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000209:etiology*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D015019:Yttrium
chemical_list: C503779:yttrium-aluminum-garnet; D015019:Yttrium; D013932:Thulium; D000535:Aluminum