High-power potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP/532) laser vaporization prostatectomy: 24 hours later

To study the feasibility and immediate postoperative outcome of vaporization prostatectomy by high-power potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP/532) laser in 10 men with bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and to evaluate their clinical and voiding outcome 24 hours postoperatively.

The KTP/532 laser at 60 W was produced by a prototype Laserscope generator and delivered through a side-deflecting fiber with a 22F continuous-flow cystoscope. Sterile water was used for irrigation. The prostatic lobes were readily vaporized to within capsular fibers. The mean lasing time was 29 +/- 8 minutes, during which a mean of 104.6 +/- 30 kJ of energy was delivered.

The prostate volumes ranged from 22 to 60 mL (mean 38.4 +/- 9.7). None of the 10 patients had any significant blood loss or any fluid absorption. Foley catheters were removed in less than 24 hours postoperatively. All patients were satisfied with their voiding outcome. The mean peak urine flow rate increased from 8 +/- 1.3 mL/s preoperatively to 19.4 +/- 8.4 mL/s (142%, P = 0.003266) 24 hours postoperatively. Postvoid residual volumes remained essentially unchanged from their preoperative levels, as expected (P = 0.767423). One patient had urgency, but none had dysuria, hematuria, or incontinence or required recatheterization. Three patients have returned for 3-month follow-up; all 3 patients have had excellent results and are very satisfied with the outcome.

Our very early and limited experience indicates that high-power KTP/532 laser vaporization prostatectomy is feasible and appears to be safe and effective for quickly relieving bladder outlet obstruction due to BPH. Larger randomized clinical trials to compare this technique with standard transurethral resection of the prostate and more follow-up data are needed to determine its long-term efficacy and durability.