GreenLight™ Laser Therapy
This treatment option provides rapid relief of symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In many cases, GreenLight™ Laser Therapy also offers a shorter hospital stay, less catheterization time, less bleeding, and a faster recovery than traditional surgical options.1-5
How It Works
During the procedure, your doctor uses a laser to rapidly heat and vaporize the excess prostate tissue, resulting in a larger channel for urine to pass through. Removing the excess tissue rapidly restores natural urine flow in most patients.
The GreenLight Laser procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Most patients experience rapid relief of BPH symptoms and improvement in urine flow after the procedure. Your doctor can tell you more about the surgical procedure.
Every patient’s experience is different, and you should talk to your physician about what to expect. Patients typically go home within a few hours after the procedure. If a urinary catheter was placed in the bladder at the end of the procedure, it will typically be removed within 24 hours. However, some patients may require a catheter for a longer time. Patients can usually return to everyday activities within a short time. As with any medical procedure, complications can occur. Side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Blood in the urine
- Irritation of the bladder, resulting in frequent and/or urgent need to urinate
- Irritation of the urethra, resulting in frequent urination and/or a burning sensation
- Retrograde ejaculation (during sexual climax, semen travels backward to the bladder rather than exiting through the penis)
Preparing for Treatment
1. Bachmann A, Tubaro A, Barber N, et al. 180-W XPS GreenLight laser vaporization versus transurethral resection of the prostate for the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction: 6 month safety and efficacy results of the European multi-centre randomized trial – The GOLIATH Study. Eur Urol. November 12, 2013. E pub ahead of press.
2. Lukacs B, Loeffler J, Bruyère F, et al. Photoselective vaporization of the prostate with GreenLight 120-W laser compared with monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. Eur Urol. 2012;61(6):1165-73.
3. Capitán C, Blázquez C, Martin MD, et al. GreenLight HPS 120-W laser vaporization versus transurethral resection of the prostate for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: A randomized clinical trial with 2-year follow-up. Eur Urol. 2011 Oct;60(4):734-9.
4. Al-Ansari A, Younes N, Sampige VP, et al. GreenLight HPS 120-W laser vaporization versus transurethral resection of the prostate for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized clinical trial with midterm follow-up. Eur Urol. 2010 Sep;58(3):349-55.
5. Bouchier-Hayes DM, Van Appledorn S, Bugeja P, et al. A randomized trial of photoselective vaporization of the prostate using the 80-W potassium titanylphosphate laser vs transurethral prostatectomy, with a 1-year follow-up. BJU Int. 2010 Apr;105(7):964-9.