Subspecialty Areas » Prostate Laser Vaporization

GreenLight PVP™ Prostate Laser Vaporization

The prostate gland is situated below the bladder, and is attached to it. The urethra runs through the center of the gland. As men age, most will develop prostate enlargement. Symptoms of an enlarged prostate include frequent urination, getting up at night to urinate, weak stream, urgent urination, incomplete bladder emptying, and difficulty controlling urination. When the enlargement is benign (non-cancerous), there are many treatment options available, including:

1. Medications.

   Alpha-blockers (such as Flomax® and Uroxatral®) and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (such as Proscar® and Avodart®) are most commonly used, either alone or in combination. However, some men can’t afford them, others get little relief, and others develop side effects.
   
   

2. Heat-based treatments.

   These therapies include prostate microwave thermotherapy, prostate interstitial laser coagulation, and prostate transurethral needle ablation. These treatments are generally done in the office under local anesthesia. However, some men do not want an office procedure; they prefer complete anesthesia. Other men are not ideal candidates for an office, heat-based treatment.
   
   

3. GreenLight PVP™ prostate laser vaporization.

   Some men have moderate or severe prostate enlargement, and very bothersome symptoms. If medication fails, and they are not good candidates for an office procedure, Greenlight PVP™ photoselective prostate laser vaporization may be the answer.
   

New GreenLight XPS™ laser System

GreenLight PVP™ is a new laser procedure designed for benign prostate enlargement. In years past, Urologists used the old “roto-rooter” (TURP) procedure. TURP often requires 2-3 days in the hospital with a catheter and bladder irrigation, and was associated with significant complications. GreenLight PVP™ has revolutionized prostate surgery, and many Urologists are offering it instead of TURP.

Before: enlarged prostate blocks the flow of urine.	After GreenLight PVP™: urinary channel wide open.

Briefly, GreenLight PVP™ is usually done in the hospital outpatient department. A medical history, physical, examination, blood & urine tests, and urologic evaluation are required to determine if you are a good candidate for GreenLight PVP™. After anesthesia is administered, the Urologist inserts a scope and laser fiber into the urethra. Under direct vision, laser energy is applied to the prostate, which is instantly vaporized and removed. A catheter may or may not be required afterwards.

The advantages of GreenLight PVP™ are as follows:

• Overnight hospital admission is almost never required
• Nearly bloodless procedure
• Bladder catheter often not required afterwards
• Relief of urinary symptoms is often immediate and dramatic
• Quick recovery time, with long-lasting results

Click Here to watch Dr.Garber perform a GreenLight PVP™ procedure.

Dr. Garber has received extensive training with this technique, and now serves as a proctor to teach other Urologists how to perform the GreenLight PVP™ procedure.

T-1470 ProTouch™ Prostate Laser Treatment



The ProTouch Laser, by Convergent Laser Technologies, is a new diode laser system. Its 1470 nm wavelength is advantageous for the treatment of benign prostatic enlargement. This wavelength is highly absorbed by water and hemoglobin, and can be used for prostate vaporization, coagulation, resection, and/or enucleation. Potential advantages of the ProTouch 1470 nm laser over other lasers include the following:

• less chance of lasering unintended tissues
• small, light-weight unit which uses standard 110 volt AC power
• penetrates roughly 1-2 mm, for precise vaporization
• may result in less post-operative irritative urinary symptoms
• excellent coagulation, which minimizes bleeding during the procedure

Click here to watch a T-1470 ProTouch prostate laser treatment.

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