How it Works
GreenLight™ Laser Therapy is a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
During the procedure, the tissue blocking your prostate is rapidly heated and vaporized. Natural urine flow is rapidly restored in most patients.
Procedure/Recovery
The procedure is typically performed under anesthesia. The urologist inserts a small scope into your urethra, allowing him/her to see the inner surfaces of the urethra, prostate and bladder.
Your urologist will then vaporize the prostate tissue that is obstructing urine flow. A temporary catheter may be placed at the end of the procedure to let urine drain from your bladder.
Most patients go home within a few hours, but some require an overnight stay. If a urinary catheter was used, it is typically removed within 24 hours.
Treatment
Medications may be the first course of treatment for an enlarged prostate. If medications do not provide enough symptom relief, if side effects are bothersome or if prescriptions become too expensive, some men choose an alternative treatment.
Results/Side Effects
Most patients experience rapid symptom relief and dramatic improvement in urine flow within 24 hours. Your urologist will talk with you about how quickly you can return to your daily activities.
You may experience mild discomfort, such as slight burning during urination and seeing small amounts of blood in your urine for a week or so. Some patients experience greater frequency and urge to urinate, which is a symptom that will likely resolve over time.
Compared with traditional surgical options, GreenLight Laser Therapy is associated with:
- Significantly less chance of severe blood loss
- Same-day surgery in most cases
- Significantly faster recovery in typical cases
- Shorter catheterization time
