Our Office
CONDITIONS
General Health
Men’s Health
Women’s Health
Urinary Leakage (Incontinence)
Urologic Cancers
SERVICES
BPH Treatments
Patient Services
Greenlight Laser BPH Treatment
The Greenlight Laser represents the cutting edge of laser technology available to treat BPH. Greenlight gives Dr. Tubre impressive control and precision for all tissue procedures including BPH, allowing you the quick relief you need and deserve.
What Is Greenlight Laser Therapy?
Lasers are used in many areas of medicine. In urology, lasers are commonly used to treat kidney stones, tumors and enlarged prostates. During a BPH laser therapy procedure, enlarged prostatic tissue is rapidly heated and vaporized. Natural urine flow is restored in most patients. Typically, BPH laser procedures are performed as a same-day surgery but an overnight stay may be recommended for some patients. Many patients can go home without a urinary catheter.
Anatomy of the male reproductive system showing enlarged prostate gland:
Top: Anatomy of the male reproductive system.
Bottom: Anatomy of an enlarged prostate gland. Arrows represent pressure on the urethra.
What Happens During Laser Therapy?
The following is intended as a general overview. Your experience may differ. Greenlight Laser Therapy risks are identified in this brochure. Please discuss these risks along with any questions you may have with Dr. Tubre.
- Before treatment begins, you may be asked to empty your bladder.
- You will then be brought into the procedure room and moved to the treatment bed where you will lie on your back. Dr. Tubre may give you a medication to help you relax.
- The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia and you will be asleep. Once the anesthesia takes effect, Dr. Tubre will insert a small scope into your urethra. The scope allows Dr. Tubre to see the inner surfaces of the urethra, prostate and bladder.
- After the scope is in place, Dr. Tubre will use a small Greenlight laser fiber to vaporize the prostate tissue that is obstructing urine flow. Prostate tissue that is not immediately vaporized during the procedure 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. In some instances you may see blood or blood clots in your urine following the treatment.
Compared with other surgical options, Greenlight Laser Therapy can contribute to:
- Significantly less chance of bleeding
- Same-day surgery in most cases
- Chance of faster recovery and discharge due to the potential of less bleeding and a shorter catheterization time
Questions & Answers
What are the risks?
Every surgical procedure has some level of risk, including Green Light Laser Therapy. The most common complications for all BPH laser therapies can include:
- Hematuria (blood in urine)
- Irritation of the bladder, resulting in frequent and/or urgent urination
- Irritation of the urethra, resulting in frequent urination and/or a burning sensation
- Retrograde ejaculation: semen during sexual climax travels backward to the bladder rather than exiting the penis
- Do I have to stay in the hospital after a Greenlight Laser Therapy procedure?
Greenlight Laser Therapy is generally performed as a same-day surgical procedure. An overnight stay in the hospital is most likely not required.
Will the procedure effect my sexual function?
Clinical studies on other laser modalities have reported very high rates (85% or higher) of patients reporting improved or unchanged sexual satisfaction with 14% reporting a decline. Similar outcomes have been observed with erectile function. Because the technology is new, no clinical papers are published yet on outcomes of Greenlight prostate vaporization procedures.