TREATING PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA WITH LASER CYBER GREEN
Photovaporization of the prostate (PVP) using Green Laser is one of the most recent technologies to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is a minimally invasive technique offering great advantages over conventional treatment such as transurethral resection of the prostate and open surgery.
View video Prostatic Photo-vaporization with Laser Cyber Green
What is BPH and what are the symptoms?
Hyperplasia is a benign prostatic disease characterised by the growth of the prostate gland which presses against the urethra (- the tube that empties urine from the bladder, passing through the prostate). Obstruction of the urethra in men makes emptying the bladder difficult, the most common symptoms being: 1) having to get up to urinate during the night; 2) difficulty starting the urine flow; 3) a feeling that the bladder does not completely empty; 4) a weak urine stream; 5) the urgent need to urinate and urinary leakage.
BPH affects one in four men aged 50, one in two at the age of 60, and almost all 80-year old men. 30% of men will need an operation for this illness at some point in their lives, and the majority of those who do not will require medicines for the prostate.
How is BPH treated?
There are currently various effective ways of treating BPH with medicines, however, an increasing percentage of patients (due to longer life expectancy) will need surgery to resolve urinary problems.
Until a few years ago, there were two types of surgery for BPH. The first is open surgery (adenomectomy). Used for over 100 years, this technique involves making an incision in the abdomen, under the navel, through which the benign prostate tumour is removed. This type of surgery needs a stay in hospital of 5-7 days. There is bleeding during the intervention, requiring a transfusion in 10-20% of patients. It can cause total or partial urine incontinence in 5-8% of patients, and impotency in 10-15%. The second technique is transurethral resection, used since the early 1950’s. It consists in passing an instrument, the “resector”, up the urethra. The resector then cuts the prostate into small pieces that are then taken out with a large syringe. This technique is less aggressive than open surgery, although it does mean a 3-5 day hospital stay. It also causes bleeding during the operation, 5-15% of cases needing a transfusion. Between 3 and 5% of patients will suffer from partial or total urine incontinence, and around 5% from impotency.
What is the Green Laser?
With the aim of reducing above-mentioned complications, in 1996 research started on a new type of laser: the KTP/532 (potassium-titanyl-phosphate) at the Mayo Clinic in the USA. The first studies were carried out on dogs, given that these animals suffer from BPH in much a similar way to humans. The first results with patients were published in 1998. Since then there have been dozens of scientific articles endorsing the excellent results achieved with this method up to and after 5 years of treatment. The fibre of the KTP laser works with a beam of light with a wavelength of 532 nanometres. The light has a great affinity for the pigment of haemoglobin, meaning that it is selectively absorbed by the blood, limiting any serious bleeding during surgery. The laser penetrates 2 mm into the prostate tissue, avoiding the problems that occurred with the other types of laser previously used, which penetrated to a depth of 7 mm. The significant burning they caused led to their use being discontinued.
How is Green Laser treatment carried out?
The KTP laser is used through a 22F calibre cystoscope (smaller than that used in TURP – transurethral resection- with a calibre of 26F) which is passed up through the urethra. The liquid used for irrigation is saline, avoiding the complications caused by glycerine absorption occurring during TURP treatment. The KTP laser evaporates 1-2 grams of prostatic tissue per minute, allowing the treatment of larger glands (over 100g) with this minimally-invasive method. Previously, open surgery was the only option.
What happens to the prostate during photovapourisation with the Green Laser?
When KTP laser is applied to the prostate, the heat generated causes the tissue to turn to steam and it is then eliminated via a system of continuous irrigation. At the same time the blood vessels are sealed so preventing bleeding.
Who can benefit from Green Laser therapy?
The KTP laser can be used with any patient who can undergo either a general anaesthetic or an epidural. It is also the preferred technique for patients with serious afflictions of other organs (heart, lungs etc), those taking anti-coagulants (Warfarin, Heparin etc.), anti-platelet drugs (Aspirin®, Adiro®, Tromalyt® etc.), or for patients whose religious beliefs forbid blood transfusions (Jehovah’s Witnesses).
Results of Green Laser treatment
Several scientific articles have been published that analyse the results 5 years after KTP laser treatment. To date, 95% of patients are very satisfied with the procedure. There was an 87% improvement of symptoms compared to before the photovapourisation. Urinary flow increased 200% , these positive results standing for years after treatment. None of the patients suffered from impotency or incontinence as a result, and none had to be treated again – either by KTP laser or any other technique.
Advantages of the Green Laser over older treatments for BPH
- short hospital admission (24 hours or less)
- limited need for catheter (just a few hours)
- limited, short-lasting post-operational soreness (6%)
- no blood transfusion
- return to daily life in just a few days
- no urinary incontinence or impotence
- no need for follow-up operations on the prostate
If you would like more information about this treatment, please contact:
INSTITUT OF PROSTATIC DISEASES
Phone number: + 34 93 564 01 10
INSTITUTO MÉDICO TECNOLÓGICO
Phone number : + 34 93 285 33 99
BARCELONA. SPAIN
e-mail: info@prostatebarcelona.com
