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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Enucleation of the Prostate for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Using a 980 nm Diode Laser
Published on: May 5, 2020
Partial prostatectomy using Nd:YAG laser for management of canine prostate carcinoma
Henry F L'Eplattenier1, Sebastiaan A van Nimwegen, Frederik J van Sluijs
1Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. h.leplattenier@vet.uu.nl
Objective:
To report a technique for partial prostatectomy by laser dissection and to evaluate outcome and complications in dogs with prostate carcinoma (PCA).
Study Design:
Experimental and clinical case series.
Animals:
Four normal dogs and 8 dogs with PCA.
Methods:
Subcapsular partial prostatectomy, sparing the urethra and the dorsal aspect of the prostatic capsule, using Nd:YAG laser dissection to remove the prostatic parenchyma and control hemorrhage was performed in 4 normal dogs and subsequently in 8 dogs with histologically confirmed PCA. Additional treatment of PCA dogs included local application of interleukin-2 and systemic administration of meloxicam. Prostate size, complications, and survival time were recorded. Laser-associated thermal damage to surrounding tissue was evaluated by histology.
Results:
In normal dogs, no damage to the dorsal prostatic capsule or urethra was detected. In PCA dogs, median survival was 103 days (range, 5-239 days). Three dogs died from complications within 16 days, whereas 5 (median survival, 183 days; range, 91-239 days) had improvement or resolution of clinical signs. Urinary incontinence did not occur.
Conclusion:
Laser assisted subcapsular partial prostatectomy can be performed in dogs with PCA without development of postoperative incontinence.
Clinical Relevance:
Subcapsular partial prostatectomy is a potential palliative treatment for PCA in dogs and may lead to the resolution of clinical signs for several months.

