Laser Surgery for Prostate Enlargement

Prostate enlargement also called as “Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)”. This very commonly faced problem in men as they get older. This leads uncomfortable urinary problem such as blockage of urine flow out from bladder, kidney or urinary tract infections.

Symptoms: The symptoms vary with people who have prostate gland enlargement and worsen over time. Following are certain symptoms that people who have prostate enlargement face:

• Pain while urinating
• Frequent urination during night
• Inability to empty the bladder
• Blood while urinating
• Infection in urinary tract

Causes of Benign prostatic hyperplasia:

• Bladder or kidney stones
• Urinary tract infection
• Narrowed urethra
• Prostate Inflammation(prostatitis)
• Prostate or bladder cancer

Risk factors:

Aging: Rarely shows symptoms in men younger than 40. About 1/3^rd of the men faces moderate to severe symptoms by age of 60, and ½ of men for age of 80.

Family history: Having a history in family hereditary with prostate means you’re likely to have prostate related problems

Lifestyle: Obesity, unhealthy food habits can increase the risk of BPH.

Diabetes and heart disease: Diabetic or suffering from any heart disease or usage of beta blockers might increase the risk of BPH.

Diagnosis & Tests:

• Digital rectal examination: Helps in knowing the size of prostate for enlargement
• Urine test: Analyses the urine infection or other conditions
• Blood test: Detects Kidney problems
• PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) blood test: Analyses the level of PSA. It increases when you have enlarged prostate.

About the Procedure:

The laser surgery relieves from moderate to severe urinary problems caused due to prostate enlargement. During this procedure, the doctor inserts a scope into the tube that carries urine from the bladder. The prostate usually surrounds the urethra. The laser emitted through the scope removes or decreases the size of the tissue that is preventing the flow of urine.

Laser uses a concentrated light to generate intense and precise heat to remove the tissue. Based on your size of prostate, health the doctor recommends you any of the following laser surgery:

Photoselective vaporisation of the prostate (PVP):  This laser vaporises (melts) excess prostate tissue and enlarges the urinary channel that allows the free flow of urine.

Holmium laser ablation of the prostate (HoLAP): This uses a Holmium laser to melt excess prostate tissue, the process is similar to PVP.

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP): In this process, Holmium laser is used to cut and remove the excess tissue blocking the bladder and other instrument is used to cut the tissue is smaller pieces so, they can be easily removed.

Why choose laser:

• Lowers the risk of bleeding
• Quick recovery
• Shorter stay in hospital after surgery