Combination of thermocoagulation and vaporization using an Nd:YAG/KTP laser versus TURP in BPH treatment: results of a multicenter prospective study

Laser treatment of BPH as minimally invasive therapy has found wide employment in the last few years. The objective here was to study the effects of combined technique of coagulation and vaporization with an Nd:YAG/KTP laser on BPH compared to TURP. Thirty-eight patients presenting symptomatic BPH were randomized and treated either by a laser coagulation/vaporization using an ADD fiber at settings of 40 - 60 W for the Nd:YAG and of 36 W for the KTP alike in 21 cases or by TURP in 17 cases. Symptom score, uroflow and residual urine were assessed preoperatively at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. No transfusion in any group. Similar postoperative catheterization time. Treatment failure in 2 TURP patients and in 2 laser patients. Comparing AUA score, Qmax and residual urine, both forms of treatment were similar at 1 year. Nd:YAG/KTP laser is equivalent to TURP at 1 year for around 40 g prostates.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.