GreenLight Laser Therapy
GreenLight Laser PVP is a procedure used for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) for the enlargement of the prostate gland that results in urethral restriction causing difficulty in urination. The prostate is important to the male reproduction system by secreting a fluid into the urethra during ejaculation.
The GreenLight Laser PVP is a minimally invasive procedure performed in an outpatient setting. The procedure uses high-powered laser light combined with fiber optics to quickly and accurately vaporize the tissue overgrowth of the prostate. During the procedure the urologist, who has specialized training, directs the laser at the prostate, the pulses of light emitted from the fiber are absorbed by the blood, and within moments the tissue temperature becomes so great that it causes the nearby cells to vaporize. The GreenLight procedure can be used as an alternative to the transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
GreenLight offers patients quick symptom relief, ease and comfort of urinary flow, and minimal short-term side effects. The procedure is too new for long-term studies to be completed, but after 5 years it has shown to maintain its level of improvement in urinary flow and comfort and offers men a better quality of life.
Condition it treats:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
What happens during the procedure:
This method uses the technology of high-powered laser light combined with fiber optics to vaporize the overgrowth of prostate cells quickly and accurately. The procedure creates an open channel for urine flow with fewer side effects than the TURP procedure.
Recovery after the procedure:
After, the patient is observed in the recovery area and can be typically discharged on the same day or within hours from the procedure. For patients that had severe symptoms or had prior bladder damage, catheterization for an extended period may be required, and they may need to stay longer or perhaps overnight.
Generally mild discomfort including slight burning with urination, frequency, or the sudden urge to urinate can occur. One may notice a small amount of blood in the urine and shouldn’t be alarmed by this, as this is expected during the first week post- procedure. Patients will notice a dramatic improvement in urine flow, and relief of symptoms within a day or two post-procedure. Men with multiple health issues may not experience improvement quite as quickly as those who are relatively healthy.
Men can expect to return to normal activity approximately 3 days post GreenLight procedure. Patients should avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or pushing, and avoid equipment that vibrates for about 2 weeks. These types of activities may aggravate the urogenital region and can cause bleeding.
Sexual activity should be avoided for 2-3 weeks and resumed when the patient feels comfortable doing so. Patients can experience retrograde ejaculation or diminished volume; neither should affect sexual pleasure or orgasm. It is also important to try to return to normal behavior as soon as the patient feels ready to do so.
If you would like more information, or believe you are candidate for this procedure, please contact us.
