BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate surgical complications in transurethral balloon laser prostatectomy by medium-term, follow-up observation. STUDY DESIGN/ MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three dogs were treated with transurethral laser irradiation using 15 watts for 20 minutes at 60 degrees C at a 5 mm depth of the prostate, one dog was for 5 minutes with same parameters, and one dog was with only laser balloon probe as a control. All animals were followed for 24 weeks. RESULTS: A large cavity in the prostatic urethra was formed in laser-treated animals 4 weeks later, whereas the cavity in the balloon-treated animals was not shown. Cavity volume did not significantly change for 6 months, and there was no bladder neck stricture or urethral stenosis observed in any case. An increase in collagen fibers in the periurethral tissue was barely observed by Mallory staining. CONCLUSION: The risk of bladder neck stricture and urethral stenosis was estimated to be low for transurethral balloon laser prostatectomy.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate surgical complications in transurethral balloon laser prostatectomy by medium-term, follow-up observation. STUDY DESIGN/ MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three dogs were treated with transurethral laser irradiation using 15 watts for 20 minutes at 60 degrees C at a 5 mm depth of the prostate, one dog was for 5 minutes with same parameters, and one dog was with only laser balloon probe as a control. All animals were followed for 24 weeks. RESULTS: A large cavity in the prostatic urethra was formed in laser-treated animals 4 weeks later, whereas the cavity in the balloon-treated animals was not shown. Cavity volume did not significantly change for 6 months, and there was no bladder neck stricture or urethral stenosis observed in any case. An increase in collagen fibers in the periurethral tissue was barely observed by Mallory staining. CONCLUSION: The risk of bladder neck stricture and urethral stenosis was estimated to be low for transurethral balloon laser prostatectomy.