What is prostate laser?
Laser prostate surgery, which is performed under general anesthesia or intradural anesthesia, is used to relieve moderate to severe urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Currently, there are different types of prostate laser surgery, among which are the following:
- Holmium laser ablation of the prostate.
- Photoselective vaporization
- Holmium laser prostate enucleation.
In any case, the type of laser surgery will be indicated according to different parameters: the size of the patient’s prostate, the physician’s experience and the patient’s state of health.
Why is it performed?
This type of surgery is performed to reduce urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. Symptoms include the following:
- Need to urinate
- Difficulty in starting to urinate
- Prolonged urination
- Stopping and starting to urinate again
- Urinating more frequently at night
- Feeling of not being able to empty the bladder completely
- Urinary tract infections
However, prostate laser can also be performed to prevent complications due to blocked urine flow such as:
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Blood in the urine
- Bladder stones
- Kidney and bladder injuries
- Inability to control urination
- Inability to urinate
What does it consist of?
The specialist inserts a scope through the tip of the penis into the tube that carries urine from the bladder. A laser through the scope allows energy to be released, generating heat, to destroy the excess prostate tissue that blocks the flow of urine.
Preparation for prostate laser
In some cases, prior to surgery, it may be necessary to discontinue treatment with medications that increase the risk of bleeding (anticoagulants or over-the-counter analgesics) and the physician may prescribe antibiotics to prevent urinary tract infection.
Post-procedure care
After the procedure, the patient may be fitted with a urinary catheter because the swelling blocks the passage of urine. During the first few days, the patient may notice blood in the urine, irritating urinary symptoms and difficulty holding urine.
Depending on the type of prostate laser surgery performed, the patient will either be able to go home after surgery or will have to stay in the hospital until the next day.
In either case, the doctor will offer a series of recommendations that the patient should follow:
- Avoid heavy lifting
- Do not have sexual intercourse until one or two weeks after surgery.
- Take the medications prescribed by the doctor.
Alternatives to this treatment (other more advanced treatments)
This type of treatment is an effective and minimally invasive alternative to other types of conventional treatment.