In vitro comparison of the vaporesection of human benign prostatic hyperplasia using 70- and 120-W 2-µm lasers

The purpose of the current ex vivo study was to compare the speed of vaporesection of human prostatic tissue with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the depth of tissue damage using 70- and 120-W 2-µm laser devices. Fresh prostatic tissue specimens were obtained from five patients by open prostatectomy, and were divided into separate groups (70 and 120 W) based on the energy of the laser output (70 and 120 W, respectively). The vaporesection speed, coagulation zone depth and the necrotic tissue layer in the prostatic tissue were evaluated. The current result showed that the speeds (mean±s.d.) of vaporesection were 5.21 ± 0.66 and 10.39 ± 1.15 g/5 min for the 70 and 120 W groups, respectively (P=0.000). There was no difference in the depth of necrosis/coagulation (0.98 ± 0.13/0.30 ± 0.09 and 0.99 ± 0.12/0.31 ± 0.08 mm) for the 70 and 120 W groups, respectively. In conclusion, both 70- and 120-W 2-µm laser devices had superficial tissue damage during the vaporesection of human prostate tissue; moreover, the 120-W laser offers a higher vaporesection speed than the 70-W laser.