[GreenLight laser vaporisation of the prostate for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Development and significance].

GreenLight laser vaporisation has been successfully implemented in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in the last decade. Besides enhancement of the efficacy of the laser through increase of the power output to a maximum of 80 W and eventually 120 W, the encouraging clinical achievements resulted in a growing popularity of the laser system application. Swiss medical centres have been significantly involved in the evaluation of the clinical adoption of this surgical technique. Particularly the low peri- and post-operative morbidity as well as promising short- to medium-term functional results are noteworthy. In the present paper we present major results of the clinical evaluation of the technique. In addition to the important advantages of the technique, especially the virtually bloodless procedure, we also highlight the drawbacks and limitations of laser vaporisation, which possibly might entail adverse clinical effects. The future significance of this technique will thus have to be re-evaluated taking into account the yet unavailable long-term effects.