Objectives: We determined the impact of potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser therapy of the prostate on urodynamic results, voiding function, quality of life, and sexual function.
Design, setting, and participants: Forty-five patients complaining of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and urodynamically proven obstructive voiding were included in the prospective study. Follow-up exams were repeated 3 mo and 12 mo after the treatment.
Intervention: All patients underwent photoselective 80-Watt KTP laser vaporisation of the prostate performed by two experienced surgeons.
Measurements: Disease-specific quality of life and sexual function were assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and International Inventory of Erectile Function (IIEF). Video-urodynamics were carried out to determine changes in pressure flow and bladder function.
Results and limitations: The average preoperative prostate volume was 47.63 ml (range 30-75 m). The mean preoperative PSA-value, which had been 3.5 ng/ml (range 0.13-7 ng/ml) initially, dropped by 34.2% after 3 mo and 37.1% after 12 mo. Despite transient micturition complaints (40%), all patients showed significant improvement in the IPSS in urinary peak flow and detrusor pressure at peak flow. The mean post-void residual urine volume decreased, while erectile function and libido scores remained unaffected by the procedure according to the IIEF. Detrusor contractility was also not affected in any of the patients. The single-centre study design and small number of patients may have limited the study results.
Conclusions: KTP laser therapy of the prostate achieves significant improvements both symptomatically as well as with respect to objective micturition parameters. The procedure leads to a functional deobstruction of the lower urinary tract with steady improvement results throughout the follow up period.