[Treatment of prostatic benign hyperplasia with endoscopically controlled laser fiber]

Between October 1992 and February 1993, 12 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) were treated with Neodymium-YAG laser through an endoscopically-guided right angle fibre, and follow-up is now over 1 year. Follow-up consisted in the symptomatic assessment using I-PSS questionnaires, vesicoprostate ultrasound with flowmetry and residue measurement and urethrocystometry at least every 3 months. Mean time for suprapubic catheter withdrawal was 23.4 days (range 9-34), and one patient did not resumed micturition spontaneously. Symptomatology improved after the first month. remaining stable after 6 months, with a mean score decrease at one year of 11,2 (p < 0,001). All flowmetry parameters improved although only peak and mid-stream flow showed statistical differences, peak flow increasing at one year by an average of 5,9 ml/sec (P < 0,001). In 4 of the 12 patients surgery was performed; 1 underwent early surgery due to absence of spontaneous micturition and was excluded from the results assessment, and 3 due to persistence of symptomatology at 16, 18 and 21 months post-laser. In spite of the advantages presented by the laser when compared to conventional surgical approaches, such as short time application, absence of haemorrhage and likely used in an ambulatory setting, the major initial irritative symptomatology and the need for a suprapubic catheter during at least three weeks, are in general poorly tolerated and limit its use. The apparent improvement in symptomatology after one month is not accompanied by objective changes in flowmetry, since in our series only 1 patient presented Qmax greater than 15 ml/sec with no residues. Therefore, we consider that treatment with endoscopically-guided laser fibre in BPH has, with the technology currently available. a very limited use.