Transurethral balloon laser prostatectomy in the canine: medium-term, follow-up results.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate surgical complications in transurethral balloon laser prostatectomy by medium-term, follow-up observation.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three dogs were treated with transurethral laser irradiation using 15 watts for 20 minutes at 60 degrees C at a 5 mm depth of the prostate, one dog was for 5 minutes with same parameters, and one dog was with only laser balloon probe as a control. All animals were followed for 24 weeks.

RESULTS

A large cavity in the prostatic urethra was formed in laser-treated animals 4 weeks later, whereas the cavity in the balloon-treated animals was not shown. Cavity volume did not significantly change for 6 months, and there was no bladder neck stricture or urethral stenosis observed in any case. An increase in collagen fibers in the periurethral tissue was barely observed by Mallory staining.

CONCLUSION

The risk of bladder neck stricture and urethral stenosis was estimated to be low for transurethral balloon laser prostatectomy.