GREENLIGHT/980 LASER TREATMENT FOR ENLARGED PROSTATE


Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) is the medical term for an enlarged prostate.  It is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate that happens to most men as they grow older.

The treatment of men with enlarged prostate has evolved greatly during the past 10 years.  One of the most exciting development has been photo vaporization of the Prostate (PVP) using the Greenlight laser or 980 laser from Biolitek.  Our doctors at Cleveland Urology Associates were first to introduce this new technique in North East Ohio.  The have performed hundreds of these procedures and teach others as well.

Before the Procedure:

  • PLEASE DO NOT TAKE ANY BLOOD THINNING MEDICATIONS FOR 7 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR SEDATIVE PROCEDURE (aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix, percentine, Lovenox or Vitamin E). 
  • Procedure is performed in our office under I.V. Sedation
  • We will explain the procedure to your and offer you the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have regarding procedure.
  • You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the test.  Read the form carefully and ask any questions if something is not clear.
  • You may be asked to remove some clothing and you will be given a gown to wear.
  • You will be positioned on the examination table.
  • You will be seen and evaluated by our anesthesia staff.
  • An intravenous (I.V.) line will be inserted in your arm or hand.
  • You will receive an I.V. Sedative or anesthetic, depending upon your specific situation.  Your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and blood oxygen level will be continuously monitored during the procedure.
  • After the procedure, once your blood pressure, pulse, breathing and oxygen saturation are stable and you are alert, I.V. line will be removed and you will be sent home in custody of your family members or friends.


Procedure:

The procedure involves feeding a Laser fiber through the cystoscope up to the level of the prostate. The entire procedure is performed under visual control.  The high intensity laser energy is directed on the prostate which very rapidly vaporizes the prostate tissues.  There is no bleeding.  The results with the Greenlight or 980 Laser are very similar to that of TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate).  However, the morbidity, side effects and recorvery period are far superior to those seen with TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate).

After the Procedure:

  • You may go home with a Foley Catheter for 7 days


While at Home:

  • You will go home with the Foley Catheter.
  • We will instruct you as to how to drain the bladder and take care of the catheter
  • There are no bags, just a simple plug.  To empty the bladder just remove the plug, drain, replace the plug.
  • Please take all medications prescribed for you
  • Take it easy for 24 hours, after that you may resume all your daily activities
  • You may have some blood in the urine and also some blood around the catheter – at the tip of your penis
  • You may have some discomfort and pain.
  • You will return to our office in one week for catheter removal


What are the risks?

Call us if: