Laser prostatectomy: checkup on the promises.

Voiding symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia are responsible for significant compromise in the quality of life of many men. As our population ages, more men are seeking medical evaluation and treatment for this condition. In addition, with the recognition that this benign condition rarely creates significant life-threatening medical problems, there has been a movement toward less invasive therapies that are associated with the least possible iatrogenic morbidity. Among the currently available, minimally invasive techniques is laser prostatectomy. Is it standing up to its rival, transurethral resection of the prostate, or lagging behind?