Interstitial laser coagulation in the management of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of bladder outlet obstruction from benign prostatic hyperplasia: long-term follow-up.

Abstract

To evaluate the long-term effects, including durability, of interstitial laser coagulation (ILC) in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. In all, 49 men (median age 68 years, range 52-80) were treated with ILC; 22 men were assessed for a median (range) of 54 (46-61) months. Information on the timing and type of re-treatment were collected for the remaining patients. The median (quartiles) International Prostate Symptom Score decreased from 22 (19-28) at baseline to 13 (5-21), a decrease of 41%. The peak urinary flow increased by 20% to 10.2 (8.7-12.9) mL/s. Twenty-two patients were re-treated (by any type) after ILC, giving a re-treatment rate of 50%. There were moderate effects on voiding variables and a high re-treatment rate during the long-term follow-up after ILC. It seems reasonable that the use of ILC is restricted to selected, high-risk patients.