Photoselective vaporization of the prostate with GreenLight HPS 120-W laser for benign prostatic hyperplasia: 36 months' follow-up.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the 3-year clinical outcomes and durability of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) with the GreenLight HPS laser in the treatment of symptomatic and obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODS

A total of 78 patients underwent PVP with the GreenLight HPS laser from October 2007 to November 2008. The baseline and treatment outcomes after surgery were evaluated 3 years later with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximum flow rate (Q(max)), postvoid residual rate (PVR), and transrectal ultrasound-determined prostate volume. These parameters were assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months.

RESULTS

Patients' urinary symptoms and QoL significantly improved after surgery. The functional outcomes showed immediate and stable improvements during the entire follow-up period. At 36 months, the average percentage of improvements compared with baseline was as follows: IPSS, 60.2%; QoL, 80.9%; Q(max), 138.7%, and PVR, 82.6%. The median prostate volume, evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography, showed a 50.4% reduction when compared to preoperative volume. Overall, complications from surgery were low; only 6.7% of the 75 patients required reoperation during the 3-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

PVP using the GreenLight HPS laser showed a safe and effective treatment outcome for the treatment of symptomatic and obstructive BPH.