OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy and safety of 980 nm diode laser vaporization in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe treated 92 BPH patients by 980 nm diode laser vaporization. The patients were aged 65 - 89 years, with a mean prostate volume of (50.1 +/- 13.0) ml. We analyzed and compared the mean operation time, intra-operative blood loss, postoperative complications, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL) score, maximum urine flow rate (Qmax), and post void residual (PVR) before and after surgery.

RESULTSOperations were successful in all the 92 cases, with an average operation time of (70.2 +/- 16.9) min, very little blood loss and no blood transfusion. The transurethral catheter indwelling time was 2 -5 (2.4 +/- 0.3) days. The patients were followed up for 1 to 3 months, which revealed a significant reduction in IPPS (P < 0.01) and improvement in Qmax and PVR (P < 0.01) as compared with preoperation. No severe complications were reported, including urinary incontinence and bladder irritation symptoms. None of the patients complained of impaired erectile function.

CONCLUSIONTransurethral 980 nm diode laser vaporization is a safe and effective treatment for BPH.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; methods ; Lasers, Semiconductor ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; methods ; Treatment Outcome