Interstitial laser coagulation combined with minimal transurethral resection of the prostate for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) represents the gold standard in the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, this method still has significant morbidity mainly associated with irrigation fluid absorption and blood loss. Patients and Methods: A combination of interstitial laser coagulation (ILC) with limited TURP was established to reduce specific risks of transurethral resection and was applied in 41 patients with bladder outlet obstruction caused by BPH. In these patients, a subtotal resection of the prostate was not possible because of anesthesiologic risk factors. After insertion of a suprapubic catheter, ILC was performed under visual control using an Nd:YAG laser followed by resection of the bladder neck or the median lobe. Isotonic carbohydrate solution with 1% ethanol was used for irrigation, and irrigation fluid uptake was quantified by measurements of the ethanol concentration in the patients' exhaled breath. Additional measures such as blood loss, need for blood transfusions, and operative time were evaluated. Results: The operations were performed without major complications with a mean operative time of 35+/-11 minutes for the entire procedure. An irrigation fluid uptake of 9+/-32 mL and no TUR syndrome were observed. The mean blood loss was minimal with a change in the hemoglobin of -1.3+/-1.1 g/dL and no need for blood transfusions. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that ILC with subsequent minimal TURP is an applicable method in the surgical treatment of BPH with reduction of blood loss and of the risk of TUR syndrome. This procedure may help to reduce the morbidity of TURP, especially in high-risk patients.