Interstitial laser coagulation of the prostate for management of acute urinary retention

We evaluated the clinical efficacy and benefit of interstitial laser coagulation of the prostate (ILCP) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) presenting with acute urinary retention.

Patients presenting with acute urinary retention were prospectively evaluated. Patients underwent ILCP and outcomes were evaluated by post-void residual urine, maximum flow rate, International Prostate Symptom Score, and disease specific quality of life score at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.

A total of 85 patients were enrolled in the study and 53 were diagnosed with acute urinary retention secondary to BPH. A total of 33 were not catheter-free after a week and 28 of them agreed to undergo ILCP. Mean preoperative prostate volume was 54.6 ml (range 23.0 to 130.0) and mean residual volume presenting with retention was 602 ml (range 200 to 1,150). There were no intraoperative or postoperative adverse events except urinary infection in 2 patients. Mean catheterization duration was 6.3 days (range 3 to 18) and all patients became catheter-free postoperatively. Mean followup was 16.9 months (range 7 to 31). Mean maximum flow rate (+/-SD) was 11.2 ml per second (+/-5.7) 3 months after treatment. Mean International Prostate Symptom Score and quality of life scores decreased from 23.1 (+/-6.4) at baseline to 8.0 (+/-5.3) at 3 months (p <0.001), and 5.0 (+/-1.2) to 1.9 (+/-1.6, p <0.001), respectively. Mean estimated prostate volume decreased by 19.4% (54.6 to 44.0 ml) 6 months postoperatively (p <0.001). Only 2 patients had recurrent urinary retention during followup.

Our study suggested that ILCP is a safe and effective therapy for patients with BPH presenting with acute urinary retention.