The outcome of a photoselective vaporization prostatectomy using a high-performance system to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia with acute urinary retention

Objective: Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) is an easy-to-learn procedure which shows promise as an alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in treating acute urinary retention with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In this retrospective study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of PVP in patients with urinary retention due to BPH.Materials and Methods: In total, 48 male patients aged 60-87 (mean, 72) years were included in the study. Preoperative data, postoperative outcomes, and complications were recorded in patients with a history of urinary retention before surgery.Results: The average prostate volume was 59.2 (range, 41.71-120.1) mL. The respective preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 10.4 ng/mL, and the operative time was 45 (range, 30-90) min. The total applied laser energy ranged 60-120 (mean, 90 +/- 25) kJ. The maximal urinary flow rate after surgery 14 mL/s, and the postvoided residual urine volume was 132 mL. Recorded surgical complications were hematuria in 10.4% and transient urinary retention in 8.3%.Conclusion: PVP can improve the uroflow and peak flow rate in patients with urinary retention due to BPH with minimal postoperative discomfort and a low rate of complications. Copyright (C) 2011, Taiwan Urological Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.