G.: Potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser vaporization of the prostate: a comparative functional and pathologic study in canines

Purpose: We present long-term observations on photoselective vaporization of the prostate in a prospectively studied cohort of men with obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia. Materials and Methods: Obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia in 94 men was treated with transurethral near contact vaporization with potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser with the patient under general or spinal anesthesia. Baseline characteristics, perioperative data, postoperative outcomes and adverse events were recorded. Results: Mean prostate volume was 45 ml (range 13 to 136). Mean lasing time was 47 minutes (range 10 to 99), and there was minimal blood loss and no evidence of fluid absorption. All 94 men were outpatients and all but 1 became catheter-free in less than 24 hours. Baseline mean American Urological Association symptom index score was 22, quality of life score 4.5, peak urinary flow rate 7.8 ml per second and post-void residual urine volume 197 ml. After surgery percentage changes from baseline in mean values of these parameters, reflecting significant (p 0.0001) improvement at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years, ranged from 83 % to 88%, 86 % to 90%, 170 % to 252 % and 76 % to 89%, respectively. Complications were mild, and included transient dysuri