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Definition

GreenLight laser therapy is a minimally invasive procedure that removes excess prostate tissue, due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Alternative Names

Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate

Benefits

• Rapid and long-lasting symptom relief
• It's typically an outpatient procedure
• Less than 1% of patients experience sexual dysfunction
• Should not affect a patient's ability to have an erection
• Treatment takes about an hour, depending on prostate size
• There will be short (less than 24 hours) or no catheterization after the procedure
• Dramatic improvement in urine flow
• Virtually bloodless procedure
• High patient satisfaction
• Quick return to normal activities
• Reduces or eliminates the need for prostate medications

Symptoms that can be Treated

The following symptoms of BPH can be treated by GreenLight Laser Therapy:

• Frequent urination
• Weak urine flow
• Difficulty in urinating
• A feeling that the bladder never completely empties
• Using bathroom stalls instead of urinals
• An urgent need to urinate
• Difficulty starting urination
• Dribbling or leaking of urine
• Starting or stopping during urination
• Frequent waking at night to urinate

What is Greenlight Laser Therapy?

GreenLight laser therapy is a safe and advanced treatment for an enlarged, non-cancerous prostate. It's a minimally invasive, outpatient surgical treatment option for men who have benign prostatic hyperplasia. The procedure combines the effectiveness of the traditional surgical procedure, transurethral resection of the prostate or TURP, but has fewer side effects and risks. Like the TURP procedure, a general or spinal anesthetic is required.

As the prostate gland naturally grows, it can compress the urethra, the tube that drains urine from the body. GreenLight therapy uses laser energy to remove enlarged prostate tissue. The laser treatment is delivered through a thin, flexible fiber, which is inserted into the urethra through an instrument called a cystoscope. The fiber delivers green laser energy to immediately vaporize and precisely remove enlarged prostate tissue. The tissue removal will allow an open channel for urine to pass through freely.

More than 250,000 patients have successfully undergone the GreenLight laser procedure and have expressed a very high level of satisfaction.

Rehabilitation

Many patients obtain immediate relief of symptoms and a dramatic improvement in urine flow usually within 24 hours of the procedure. The most common side effects for the GreenLight laser treatment tend to be short lived. Patients may experience mild discomfort such as slight burning during urination, overactive bladder symptoms, and/or a little bit of blood in the urine for a couple of weeks. This can be managed with mild pain and anti-inflammatory medication. Because this treatment is not a drug, it is unlikely to interfere with other medications patients may be taking.

The patient's medical history, health condition, and other factors can influence treatment and recovery. Most patients return home a few short hours after the procedure and can return to normal, non-strenuous activities within days. Typically, strenuous activity can be resumed within 2 weeks.

To Learn More

To learn more about GreenLight laser therapy, please visit the GreenLight site.

6/19/2009