Cost analysis of neodymium-YAG laser versus transurethral resection treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma.

We have analyzed a group of patients treated by various urologists with both neodymium-YAG laser photoirradiation and transurethral resection in the treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma. The average hospitalization for the group of patients treated by the laser was significantly shorter than the group of patients treated by transurethral resection of the bladder tumor. The complications were similar. The cost savings to patients treated by laser photoirradiation appears to be significantly greater in laser groups of patients as opposed to conventional transurethral resection techniques.