GreenLight™ Laser Therapy
Advanced Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
If you have been diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as an enlarged prostate, you may be a candidate for GreenLight Laser Therapy. An enlarged prostate can mean frequent trips to the bathroom and interrupted sleep. Medicines for this condition may not work that well, can be expensive and may have unpleasant side effects.
GreenLight Laser Therapy has helped hundreds of thousands of men gain relief from frustrating BPH symptoms affecting their lives and the people closest to them. With GreenLight Laser Therapy, you can get help with your BPH symptoms, to help you quickly get back to the things you like to do.
Tried & Tested Technology
GreenLight™ Laser Therapy has been well documented and numerous articles have been published about the therapy in medical literature.
GreenLight Laser Therapy:
- Has low complication rates, and short catheterization and hospitalization times.
- Can be used if you are taking blood thinners, in urinary retention, or have a large prostate (>100 ml).
- Can be used if you have an implanted pacemaker, defibrillator, or neurostimulator.
What is GreenLight Laser Therapy?
GreenLight Laser Therapy has helped over 900,000 men worldwide.
Lasers are now used in many areas of medicine, including eye and cosmetic surgery. They are also used to treat an enlarged prostate.
During the GreenLight procedure, the tissue blocking your prostate is rapidly heated and vaporized. Natural urine flow is rapidly restored in most patients.
Typically, the procedure is performed as a same-day surgery. Many patients can go home without a urinary catheter. An overnight stay may be recommended for some patients.
Alternative Treatment Options
Typically, medicines are first used to treat an enlarged prostate. However, sometimes drugs don’t provide enough symptom relief. Or the side effects can be bothersome. Drugs can be expensive. Or there may be other reasons medical therapy for BPH isn’t right for you.
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
This procedure involves use of a heated wire to cut tissue from the prostate and has been used to treat an enlarged prostate for years.
Open Surgery
This procedure involves removal of the inner part of the prostate through an incision made in the abdomen.
Other Types of Lasers
In addition to GreenLight Laser Therapy, other systems remove enlarged prostate tissue through the use of high-energy lasers. Clinically documented laser therapies have become a viable treatment option.
Transurethral Microwave Therapy (TUMT)
In this therapy, a microwave antennae mounted on a catheter is used to heat the prostate and open up the blockage.
Advantages of GreenLight Therapy
Compared with traditional surgical options, GreenLight Laser Therapy is associated with:
- Significantly less chance of severe blood loss6
- Same-day surgery in most cases7
- Significantly faster recovery in typical cases for the following:
- Shorter hospital stay
- Shorter catheterization time
- Less bleeding
- Comparable risks and outcomes
Hospital length of stay and time with a urinary catheter are typically shorter with the GreenLight procedure than TURP.
During the Procedure
The following is intended as a general overview. Your experience may differ. Please talk to your doctor about potential risks and questions you may have about the procedure.
Before Treatment
Before treatment begins, you may be asked to empty your bladder.
Anesthesia
- You will then be brought into the procedure room and moved to the treatment bed where you will lie on your back. Your doctor may give you medication to help you relax.
- The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia. This means that you will be asleep during the procedure. A different type of anesthesia may be used, depending on the treatment center.
Procedure
- Once the anesthesia takes effect, your doctor will insert a small scope into your urethra. The scope allows your doctor to see the inner surfaces of the urethra, prostate and bladder.
- After the scope is in place, your doctor will advance the laser device through the scope to the location of the enlarged prostate tissue.
- Your doctor will then vaporize the prostate tissue that is obstructing urine flow. Dead tissue that is not immediately vaporized will be passed naturally in your urine during the first few days after your surgery.
- A temporary urinary catheter may be placed at the end of the procedure to let urine drain from your bladder.
After the Procedure
People typically go home within a few hours after the procedure. You should arrange for a ride home.
If a urinary catheter was placed in your bladder at the end of the procedure, it will typically be removed within 24 hours. However, some patients may require a catheter for a longer time.
Most patients experience very rapid relief of symptoms and a dramatic improvement in urine flow. This usually occurs within 24 hours of the procedure. Your experience may differ. Your doctor will provide you with specific discharge instructions and information on signs and symptoms that may require further medical attention.
You may experience mild discomfort such as slight burning during urination and see small amounts of blood in your urine for a week or so. Also, depending on the condition of your bladder, you may experience greater frequency and urge to urinate. This will likely resolve over time.
Usually, you can return to your everyday activities within a short time after the GreenLight procedure. If you have any questions, ask your doctor.
Risks
Every surgical procedure may have risks. The same is true for GreenLight™ Laser Therapy.
The most common risks include:
- Hematuria – Blood in the urine
- Irritation of the bladder – Results in frequent and/or urgent need to urinate
- Irritation of the urethra – Frequent urination, burning sensation
- Retrograde ejaculation – Semen during sexual climax travels backward to the bladder rather than exiting through the penis
At doctor’s instruction, some patients taking blood-thinners can be treated with GreenLight Laser Therapy without stopping their medicines.
Schedule a ConsultResources
We understand how important it is to get answers to questions that you might have about prostate health. The following resources can help you learn more about advances in the diagnosis and treatment of an enlarged prostate.
-
GreenLight Laser Therapy
GreenLight™ Laser Therapy patient website
-
Urology Care Foundation
Official Foundation of the American Urological Association and provides extensive information on prostate health
-
National Institute of Diabetese & Digestive Health
Information on an enlarged prostate and links to the latest research and statistics on prostate health
Frequently Asked Questions
Is prostate enlargement a type of cancer?
No. Prostate enlargement occurs naturally as a man ages. It will affect approximately 50 percent of men between the ages of 51 and 60 and up to 90 percent of men over the age of 80.17 No one knows exactly why the condition occurs.
Do I have to stay in the hospital after a GreenLight™ procedure?
GreenLight Laser Therapy is generally performed as a same-day surgical procedure. Typically, an overnight stay in the hospital is not required.
What effect does the GreenLight procedure have on sexual function?
In a recent study, 86% of patients reported improved or unchanged sexual satisfaction; 14% worsened. Similar outcomes were seen for erectile function.
How long does it take until symptoms are relieved?
Most patients experience very rapid relief of symptoms and improvement in urine flow within 24 hours of the procedure. However, medical history, health conditions, and other factors can influence treatment and recovery.
Will I continue to need prostate medication after the GreenLight procedure?
Most patients are able to discontinue taking their prostate medication within a few weeks after the GreenLight procedure. However, as with any medication, consult with your doctor before making any changes to your dosing.
How soon can I return to work?
Most patients can resume their normal activities within a couple of days. Strenuous activities can be resumed within a short time. Your doctor will discuss any restrictions and your specific condition with you during your visit following your procedure.
Is GreenLight Laser Therapy covered by insurance?
Yes, GreenLight Laser Therapy is covered by Medicare and most private insurers.
Boston Scientific does not guarantee insurance coverage for any procedure or product. It is the responsibility of the patient to contact their insurance provider for specific coverage information.
Healthy Living Tips
Sign up for our free newsletters to get the best of our healthy living tips and the latest news from Cuyuna Regional Medical Center delivered straight to your inbox.
Subscribe Now