Holmium YAG laser treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma

Holmium YAG laser is one of the new modalities of treatment of urinary bladder tumor. Thirty patients of superficial bladder carcinoma were selected from the Urology out patient department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital from January 2004 to July 2004. Among thirty cases, 18 were recurrent and 12 were primary superficial bladder carcinoma. Out of thirty patients, 24 were male and six were female. Patients were treated with Holmium YAG laser under spinal anesthesia. Before resection, cold cup biopsy were taken from the apex and after resection of the tumor, another cold cup biopsy were taken from the base of the tumor. Holmium YAG laser therapy was given with a 550 micron end firing quartz laser fiber through the working element of resectoscope. Small tumors (< 1 cm) were ablated and large tumors (1-4 cm) were resected. The initial laser setting was 0.5 to 0.8 J and 10 Hz. For resection of the tumor, a slightly higher energy of 1 to 1.2 J was used at 10 to 12 Hz. After resection, bleeding vessels were coagulated. The resected tumor was evacuated by Elik's evacuator. All cases were followed for 6 to 12 months by history, physical examination, urine analysis, sonogram and cystoscopy three monthly. Bleeding was minimum during the procedure and no transfusion was required. Complications like obturator jerk, clot retention or perforation were not developed. No recurrence was found during the 6 to 12 months follow up period. The procedure was found safe, effective, and acceptable. The study was conducted to evaluate the initial result of Holmium YAG laser for the treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma. We warrants further studies in this regard.