Laser therapy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: A review

Abstract

Laser therapies for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia have progressed significantly over the past decade. The main treatment types are coagulation, vaporization, and cutting techniques. Their appeal compared with the transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) is that many laser treatments have equal efficacy, with decreased side effects such as bleeding and irrigant absorption. Disadvantages are increased cost and the need for further demonstration of benefit compared with TURP. However, each technique has specific advantages and disadvantages. Contact lasers can create an intraoperative TURP-like defect with immediate results and appear to be significant advances. Because noncontact lasers have prolonged irritative effects and the need for catheterization, their use has declined dramatically. Interstitial laser coagulation can be effective, but has a delayed improvement. Advances in laser technology in the next decade likely will increase the popularity of these treatments. However, further comparative trials with TURP and newer noninvasive therapies are necessary to define their true benefit.