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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffProstate laser surgery is a procedure to ease urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). During prostate laser surgery, a combined visual scope and laser is inserted through the tip of your penis into the tube that carries urine from your bladder (urethra). The urethra is surrounded by the prostate. Using the laser, your doctor removes prostate tissue that's squeezing the urethra and blocking urine flow, thus making a new larger tube for urine to pass through.
All lasers use concentrated light to generate precise and intense heat. There are two basic types of prostate laser surgery:
- Laser ablation melts away tissue to enlarge the urinary channel through your prostate. Photosensitive vaporization of the prostate (PVP), sometimes called green light therapy, and HoLAP (holmium laser ablation of the prostate) are examples of this type of procedure.
- Laser enucleation uses a laser to cut away prostate tissue, as with traditional open prostate surgery. Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is an example of this technique.
The type of prostate laser surgery your doctor will use depends on several factors, including the size of your prostate, your health, the type of laser equipment available and your doctor's training.
Some types of laser surgery are also used to treat prostate cancer (which is unrelated to BPH).
- AUA guideline on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia: Diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Baltimore, Md.: American Urological Association. http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines/main-reports/bph-management/chapt_1_appendix.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2009.
- Humphreys, MR (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 22, 2011.
- Fitzpatrick JM, et al. Minimally invasive and endoscopic management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/125743340-3/0/1445/91.html?tocnode=54305416&fromURL=91.html. Accessed April 14, 2011.
- Lee J, et al. Advances in laser technology in urology. Urology Clinics of North America. 2009;36:189.
- Rieken M, et al. Complications of laser prostatectomy: A review of recent data. World Journal of Urology. 2010;28:53.
- Ahyai SA, et al. Meta-analysis of functional outcomes and complications following transurethral procedures for lower urinary tract symptoms resulting from benign prostatic enlargement. European Urology. 2010;58:384.
- Gnessin E, et al. An update on holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and why it has stood the test of time. Current Opinion in Urology. 2011;21:31.
- Prostate enlargement: Benign prostatic hyperplasia. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/prostateenlargement. Accessed May 23, 2011.
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