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Laser Prostatectomy - GreenLight™ Laser TherapyWhat is the Prostate? The prostate is a gland in the male genital-urinary
tract. The main functio What is BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)?BPH is a non-cancerous (benign) enlargement of the prostate. Your prostate grew to normal size during your teenage years. Usually, the prostate grows to the size of a walnut. The prostate may begin to grow again when a man reaches middle age. The reasons for this growth are not fully known. By the age of 80, 80% of men have BPH. BPH causes symptoms in many older men. What are the Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate?An enlarged prostate presses on the urethra. The pressure can obstruct the flow of urine through the urethra. Obstruction of the flow of urine can cause problems, including:
What is GreenLight™ Laser Therapy?GreenLight™ Laser Therapy is a minimally invasive procedure performed with a small fiber that is inserted into the urethra through a cystoscope. The fiber delivers high powered laser energy which quickly heats up the prostate tissue, causing the tissue to vaporize. This process is continued until all of the enlarged prostate tissue has been removed. Natural urine flow is rapidly restored and urinary symptoms are quickly relieved in most patients. GreenLight Laser Therapy combines the effectiveness
of the “gold standard” transurethral resection of the GreenLight Laser Therapy can be performed in a
hospital outpatient center, surgical center, or specially
equipped physician’s office. Typically no overnight stay
is needed. However, in some cases when a patient What to Expect DURING Your GreenLight™Laser Therapy Treatment First, the physician will perform an evaluation to see if you are a candidate for this therapy. Then, on the day of your procedure, you will come to the treatment center. You should have someone drive you home since this an outpatient procedure. Each patient is different, therefore treatment procedures may vary. Below is a general description of the procedure and what to expect:
What to Expect AFTER Your GreenLight™ Laser Therapy Treatment Since this is an outpatient procedure, you will typically go home within a few hours after treatment. You should have someone drive you home after the procedure. If a catheter was placed in your bladder at the end of the procedure, it will typically be removed within 24 hours. However, patients with compromised bladder function or those who have required prolonged catheterization as a result of severe urinary symptoms may require a catheter for a longer period of time. Most patients experience very rapid relief of symptoms and a dramatic improvement in urine flow. This typically occurs within 24 hours of the procedure. However, medical history, health condition and other factors can influence treatment recovery. You may experience mild discomfort such as slight burning during urination and small amounts of blood in your urine for a week or so. Also, depending on the condition of your bladder, you may experience greater frequency and urge to urinate. This will resolve over time as your bladder adjusts now that the obstruction in your urethra has been removed. What are the ADVANTAGES of a GreenLight Laser Therapy Treatment?
What are the RISKS of a GreenLight™ Laser Therapy Treatment?Every medical treatment may have side effects. The same is true for GreenLight Laser Therapy. Below are the most common side effects experienced with GreenLight:
You should contact your doctor immediately if:
Also, if a catheter was placed; contact your doctor immediately if:
What are the Alternative Treatments for BPH?Alternative treatments for BPH are:
Frequently Asked Questions about GreenLight and Enlarged ProstateIs BPH a type of cancer?
Do I have to stay in the hospital after a GreenLight procedure?
Will the GreenLight Laser Therapy treatment affect my sexual function?
How long before my symptoms improve?
Will I continue to need BPH medications after the GreenLight Laser Therapy treatment?
How soon can I return to work?
How long do the results last?
Is GreenLight Laser Therapy covered by insurance?
GlossaryBenign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): A non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. Bladder spasm: Involuntary contraction of muscles affecting the bladder wall. Catheter: A flexible tube for withdrawing fluids from (or introducing fluids into) a cavity of the body, especially for inserting into the bladder, through the urethra, to remove urine. Cystoscope: An instrument used to look at the urethra and inside the bladder. Erectile dysfunction: Unable to have or maintain an erection of the penis. Genital: All parts of the reproductive system.The visible body parts are commonly referred to as “genitals”. Hematuria: Blood in the urine. Laser energy: A highly concentrated, very intense beam of light energy that can create very high temperatures. Retrograde ejaculation: Ejaculation backwards into the bladder instead of forward through the urethra. Transurethral: To the urethral tube through the penis. Urethra: The tube through which urine is passed from the bladder. |