The Holmium Laser for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Brief Review

At a wavelength of 2140 nm, the holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser can be used for incision, ablation and resection of prostatic tissue. This laser has revolutionised the surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in our institution. Five different techniques have been utilised in evolving the current techniques using the Ho:YAG laser either alone or in combination with neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG laser for the surgical management of BPH. The clinical outcome of 664 patients undergoing these procedures is presented. Enucleation of the prostatic adenoma using the holmium laser energy is the most common procedure presently performed at our institution for the surgical management of BPH. A mechanical tissue morcellator appears to be the most efficient way to remove prostatic tissue, once enucleated, from within the bladder. Paper received 24 February 1998; accepted after revision 30 June 1998.