title: The role of lasers in modern urology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The functioning of modern urological departments and the high level of service they provide is possible through, among other things, the use of modern laser techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open operations have been replaced by minimally invasive procedures, and classical surgical tools by advanced lasers. The search for new applications with lasers began as technology developed. Among many devices available, holmium, diode and thulium lasers are currently the most popular.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depending on the wavelength, the absorption by water and hemoglobin and the depth of penetration, lasers can be used for coagulation, vaporization and enucleation. In many centres, after all the possibilities of pharmacological treatment have been exhausted, lasers are used as the primary treatment for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, with therapeutic results that are better than those obtained through open or endoscopic operations. The use of lasers in the treatment of urolithiasis, urinary strictures and bladder tumours has made treatment of older patients with multiple comorbidities safe, without further necessity to modify the anticoagulant drug treatment. Laser procedures are additionally less invasive, reduce hospitalization time and enable a shorter bladder catheterization time, sometimes even eliminating the need for bladder catherterization completely. Such procedures are also characterized by more stable outcomes and a lower number of reoperations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are also indications that with the increased competition among laser manufacturers, decreased purchase and maintenance costs, and increased operational safety, laser equipment will become mandatory and indispensable asset in all urology wards.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Oncological Urology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Łukasz
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Dołowy
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Oncological Urology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Krajewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Oncological Urology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dembowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Oncological Urology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Romuald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zdrojowy
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Oncological Urology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kołodziej
keywords: bladder outlet obstruction; lasers; urology