OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the long term therapeutic efficacy of 80 watt photo-selective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) in patients suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to prostatic obstruction.
MATERIAL & METHODS: 150 unselected patients at the average age 73 (range 51-92) and a mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 2.4 (median 2.0), of whom 33% were medicated with acetylsalicylic acid and 5% were anticoagulated with warfarin. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were the same as for TUR-P at our institution. First patient was operated March 2004 and yearly follow-up of all patients has been attempted for 5 years. Follow-up variables have included yearly creatinine, PSA, IPSS, ØOL, post-void residual urin and
maximum/average urine flow rate.
RESULTS: At 12 and 24 months postoperatively, the following parameters were significantly (p<0.001) improved: trans-rectal ultrasound, international prostate symptom score, quality of
life score, post-void residual urine volume, flow max/average, opening pressure, pressure @ flow-max, and micturition resistance. At 48 and 60 months creatinine, PSA, IPSS, ØOL, post-void residual urin and maximum/average urine flow rates were still significantly (p<0.001) improved compared to pre-operative values.
CONCLUSION: Up to 5 year follow-up reveals that 80 watt PVP provides significant and stable symptom relief as well as objective improvement in residual urine and flowmetric outcomes.
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