Anaesthesia for laser prostatectomy

A retrospective review was undertaken to examine current anaesthetic practice in a single institution for the management of patients undergoing laser ablation of the prostate for benign prostatic hypertrophy at St Vincent's Private Hospital, Melbourne. Two groups of patients (totalling 72) were identified, one undergoing the surgery with a regional anaesthetic technique and a smaller group on full anticoagulant therapy for associated medical problems where general anaesthesia was preferred.