OBJECTIVETo investigate and compare the effectiveness and safety of 80-W GreenLight laser vaporization and GreenLight high-performance system (HPS) 120-W laser vaporization for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in high-risk patients.

METHODSWe allocated 290 high-risk patients with BPH to two groups to receive 80-W (n = 220) and HPS 120-W GreenLight laser vaporization (n = 70). We recorded and compared the pre-, intra- and post-operative clinical data of the two groups.

RESULTSThe operations were successful in both of the groups. There were statistically significant differences in the prostate volume, IPSS, Qmax and PVR before and after surgery (P < 0.01), but not between the two groups (P > 0.05). The operation time, lasing time and energy consumption were (56.5 +/- 22.6) min, (31.2 +/- 10.3) min and (159.8 +/- 29.0) kJ in the 80-W group, as compared with (45.1 +/- 20.4) min, (24.6 +/- 8.3) min and (134.2 +/- 23.3) kJ in the 120 W group, with significant differences between the two (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONGreenLight laser vaporization of the prostate is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of BPH, and the new HPS 120-W laser therapy, with its advantages of easier operation and shorter surgical time, is an even better minimally invasive option for elderly high-risk patients.