Intermediate-term efficacy of Tm:YAG laser prostate vaporesection for bladder outlet obstruction: initial experience from a UK teaching hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and clinical efficacy of Tm:YAG laser vaporesection of the prostate (ThuVaRP) at intermediate-term follow-up.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified the first 60 consecutive patients who underwent ThuVaRP at our institute. Operative outcomes assessed were resection time, resection weight, drop in haemoglobin, transfusion rate, catheter time and complication rate. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was documented at a mean follow-up period of 19 months postoperatively.

RESULTS: 45/60 patients underwent treatment due to lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic obstruction, 11/60 patients had a long-term catheter in situ for refractory urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic obstruction, and 4/60 patients had bladder outflow obstruction secondary to adenocarcinoma of the prostate. 1/60 patients developed urosepsis, 1/60 patients developed a urinary tract infection and 1/60 patients required 3-way catheterization and irrigation due to haematuria. No patients required a blood transfusion. The mean IPSS at a mean follow-up interval of 19 months (range 15-28 months) was 5.1 (range 1-23). Postoperative maximum flow rate improved from 7.9 to 17.1 ml/s, and post-micturition residual volume decreased from 254 to 86 ml.

CONCLUSION: ThuVaRP is safe and appears to have durable efficacy at intermediate follow-up.