[Holmium laser treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia]

Transurethral laser adenomectomy was performed in 37 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) aged 49-73 years (mean age 68 years) under epidural anesthesia. The intervention lasted 35-90 minutes (mean--55 minutes). Ho-YAG-laser was used (Versa Pulse, Coherent; 80 W, impulse regime, 2.09 microm, 50-100 Hz). 32 patients had intercurrent diseases (essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus, etc.). If the procedure technique was not violated, the postoperative period ran uneventfully. Coagulative effect of Ho-laser minimizes blood loss. Foley catheter was inserted. 12-24-h continuous irrigation of the urinary bladder was carried out. The drainage of the bladder with urethral catheter took 1-3 days. All the patients were discharged from hospital on postoperative day 5-7. Their condition was satisfactory. The patients were followed up for 8 months. Positive changes in urodynamics were recorded: I-PSS dropped from 21.4 to 11.2, maximal urine flow rate increased from 7.3 to 20.2 ml/s. Residual urine volume diminished to 0-30 ml compared to 190 ml before the operation. Secondary bleeding was absent. Minimal traumaticity and minimal blood loss allow to recommend laser adenomectomy both for BPH with and without intercurrent diseases.