Interstitial laser coagulation treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: is it to be recommended?

To update the clinical data on the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by interstitial laser coagulation (ILC).

In addition to recent review articles, original papers published during the last 2 years were surveyed. The focus was on prospective, particularly randomized, trials and on those with long-term follow-up.

Interstitial laser coagulation is feasible, although considerable variability is observed in the results. Operative complications are minimal, but the postoperative catheterization time is relatively long. Irritative symptoms can last for a long time, and the rate of urinary infections is as high as 35%. There also is significant variability in the urodynamic results. The technique seems to be more effective in patients with mild bladder outlet obstruction at baseline. The retreatment rate at 1 year is as high as 15%, and higher rates, as much as 40%, are described at 3 years. When compared in a randomized fashion with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), the postoperative period is shorter after TURP and the retreatment rate (early and late) is higher after ILC.

Interstitial laser coagulation is superior to TURP in terms of operative morbidity, but postoperative morbidity is higher after ILC. Long-term durability has not been properly documented, and randomized studies show a higher retreatment rate after ILC than after TURP. The technique is recommended for those patients with bleeding disorders necessitating an interventional therapy.