Transurethral laser prostatectomy: a comparison of contact tip mode and lateral firing free beam mode

Transurethral laser prostatectomy was performed on 66 patients for the management of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to prostatic hyperplasia. All of the patients were treated on an outpatient basis primarily using IV sedation or spinal anesthesia. Selection consisted of patients with obstructive voiding symptoms who would be considered candidates for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Thirty procedures were performed with the contact tip laser probe, with successful results noted in 24 cases (80%). Thirty-one of the 36 patients who underwent laser prostatectomy using the lateral firing free beam probe experienced a significant improvement in their obstructive voiding symptoms, for a success rate of 86%. Transurethral laser prostatectomy using the contact tip laser system or the lateral firing free beam mode appears to be an acceptable alternative to TURP in individuals with obstructive voiding symptoms.