Outcome of GreenLight HPS laser therapy in surgically high-risk patients

The aims of this study are to present our experience with GreenLight HPS laser in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and evaluate the outcomes of laser therapy in surgically high-risk patients. This study included a total of 132 patients who were treated for BPH by using GreenLight HPS laser between August 2008 and December 2010 by the same operator. These patients were further divided into five subgroups: group A (age ≧ 80 years), group B (prostate volume ≧ 80 ml), group C (American Society of Anesthesiologists score = 3), group D (anticoagulant use), and group E (non-A, non-B, non-C, and non-D patients). Data on International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum flow rate (Q max), post-void residual urine, and quality-of-life score were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 12, and 24 months after surgery. The result showed that group B patients required a longer lasing time during surgery. In addition, longer post-operative catheterization time and hospital stay were noted in groups B, C, and D patients. Statistically significant improvements were noted post-operatively for all functional parameters in all groups. The proportion of secondary surgery was significantly higher in group B patients. No major complication was observed in all groups. This suggested that GreenLight HPS laser is safe and effective in the treatment of surgically high-risk patients.