Laser surgery for enlarged prostate

The prostate lies below at the neck of the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the urine tube. Usually, prostate problems are common in men aged 50 or above. An enlarged prostate is considered to be Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

Notice the signs of BPH

The severity of symptoms varies for people, and it gets worse over time.

• Frequent or immediate need to urinate
• Trouble in starting urination
• Weak urine stream
• Dribbling after urination
• Difficulty to completely empty the bladder
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Blood in the urine
• Difficult to urinate

Laser procedure

Laser prostatectomy is a surgery used to relieve moderate to severe urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There are varied types of laser surgery, and the doctor will recommend the appropriate treatment based on the size of the prostate, patient’s health, and the type of laser equipment available. The types of prostate laser surgery include Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP), Holmium laser ablation of the prostate (HoLAP), and Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).

During prostate laser surgery, the doctor would insert a scope through the tip of the penis into the tube that carries urine from the urethra. A laser will be passed through the scope, which will deliver energy that helps to evaporate or remove excess tissue that prevents urine flow. The general or spinal anesthesia will be provided. Based on the laser prostate, the tissue is either surgically removed or vaporized systematically.

Advantages of laser procedure

Laser surgery has several advantages. Hence, it will be recommended over conventional treatments such as TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) and open prostatectomy.

• Reduces blood loss - unlike TURP, laser surgery will not lead to bleeding. Hence, this is good for men with cardiac problems who take blood thinner medications, have a bleeding disorder, and men with poor cardiac functions.
• Quick recovery period - compared to open surgery, laser surgery takes less time to recover; hence shorter hospital stay as well.
• Need for a catheter is reduced - usually, prostate treatments require the usage of a catheter, but with a laser procedure, the duration of a catheter is decreased.
• Faster results - the results are faster with laser surgery.
• Prevents early re growth of the residual prostate.

The prostate laser surgery will improve urinary flow with less bleeding and completely cardiac safe. The results are long-lasting.

Authored By : Dr. Mahendra Jain