Minimally invasive treatment of BPH with interstitial diode laser coagulation

The Authors report their preliminary experience on the use of interstitial laser coagulation (ILC) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Twenty-three patients underwent interstitial laser treatment of BPH with the Indigo 830 laser system, from April 1996 to September 1997. Inclusion criteria were: maximum flow rate < 12 ml/sec, postvoiding residual volume < 300 ml, AUA symptom score > 13. All patients were catheterized for 10 days postreatment. Average follow up was 10.9 months. Marked improvement was shown at one, three and six months in terms of AUA score, maximum urinary flow rates, QL index, postvoiding residual volume, voiding bladder pressure values and prostatic weight reduction. No major complication were reported. The Authors believe that ILC is an easy and effective treatment for elder and compromised patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH.