OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical characteristics of 2 microm continuous wave laser vaporization resection for the treatment of bladder tumors.

METHODSA total of 56 patients with 68 bladder tumors underwent 2 microm laser vaporization resection via a transurethral cystoscope under caudal anesthesia. In the operation, the wall of the urinary bladder was vaporized and cut, the muscular layers were removed, and then the specimens were sent for pathological inspection separately. The following variables were recorded: operation time, blood loss, complications during and after the operation, pathology staging of the tumors, and follow-up visit time.

RESULTSAll patients endured the operation. The mean surgery time was 8.8 +/- 3.3 minutes (range, 4 to 15 minutes). Blood loss was minimal, no patient experienced an obturator nerve reflection, or a hemorrhage after the operation. The pathology staging of the tumors were as follows: 40 cases (total 47 tumors) were T1 stage; 16 cases (total 21 tumors) were T2 stage. The follow-up periods were between 12 to 17 months, and the mean period was 14.5 months. Tumor recurrences were found in 3 cases, and one patients suffered two recurrences, the total recurrence rate was 5.3%. There was no primary recurrence.

CONCLUSIONSThe 2 microm continuous wave laser is a new, safe and efficacious method for the treatment of bladder tumors. Because the 2 microm laser can vaporize and cut the muscular layers of the bladder finely, it can not only treat superficial bladder tumors efficiently, but also treat some types of invasive tumors of the bladder.