Transurethral laser resection of the prostate.

Transurethral laser resection of the prostate was performed on 25 patients for the management of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to prostatic hyperplasia. All of the patients in our series were treated on an outpatient basis and the majority of these under IV sedation. Patient selection was limited to older, high-risk patients who were poor surgical candidates for transurethral resection of the prostate or suprapubic prostatectomy because of underlying medical problems. Successful results were noted in 20 of the 25 cases (80%). Five procedures were unsuccessful because the patients were unable to spontaneously void after laser resection. Transurethral laser resection of the prostate utilizing the contact laser system is an acceptable alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate in advanced age, high-risk patients with small gland volumes.