Long-term outcome of bare-fiber hybrid laser prostatectomy with transurethral scraping

To present long-term follow-up results of 116 patients treated with laser ablation of the prostate and transurethral scraping (LAP/TUS) that involves vaporization and coagulation with potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP):YAG (yttrium-aluminum-garnet) (40 W) and neodymium (Nd):YAG (60 W) lasers, respectively, followed by scraping of the debris with a resectoscope.

A total of 116 consecutive men (mean age 70 +/- 9 yrs) who underwent LAP/TUS for urinary retention or severe lower urinary tract symptoms were assessed by uroflowmetry, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL) score. The results of the prospectively recorded preoperative values were compared with values recorded at 3-months and annually thereafter for up to 8 postoperative years.

Mean prostate size was 38.2(+/- 16.8) mL. After a mean/median follow-up of 84 months (range 60-103 months), 62 (80%) of 78 living patients completed the last follow-up assessment. Overall, 6 (5.2%) patients needed a long-term indwelling catheter and 7(6%) underwent reoperation. Preoperative v postoperative values at the last follow-up for the measured parameters were: IPSS 21.2 (+/- 6.9) v 10.2 (+/- 7.3); QoL score 4.3 (+/-1.1) v 1.9 (+/- 1.4); postvoid residual: 152 (+/- 138) v 62.2 (+/- 97.1) mL; peak flow rate 9.3 (+/- 3.9) versus 15.4(+/- 9.9) mL/s and average flow rate 4.4 (+/- 2.1) v 7.7 (+/- 6.3) mL/s respectively. There was no significant change in any of these parameters after the 7-year median follow-up compared with the improvements observed at 3 months postoperatively.

LAP/TUS produces long-lasting relief in bladder outlet obstruction symptoms caused by prostatic enlargement with 50% to 129% improvement in mean IPSS scores and uroflowmetry parameters maintained even after a mean follow-up of 7 years.