Bipolar Plasma Vaporization versus Quartz Head Laser Ablation of the Prostate for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: A comparative study of outcome and complications

Abstract

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is considered one of the most common causes of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), urinary obstruction and urinary retention which usually occurs above age of 40 years. Aim of the Work: to compare the short term effectiveness and complications of bipolar plasma versus laser vaporization of prostate over 6 months duration of follow up post-operative. Patients and Methods: This prospective comparative clinical study (double armed) included 128 patients with prostates less than 80 gm operated upon and followed up in the Urology Department of Ain shams University hospitals in the period from September 2015 to January 2018. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A 64 patients who underwent Plasma vaporization. Group B 64 Patients who underwent Quartz Laser Ablation of prostate (QLAP). Results: There were statistically significant differences between both groups as regards prostate volume reduction, PSA reduction and decrease in postvoiding residual urine more in the laser group. While IPSS and QOL reduction and uroflowmetry improvement showed higher improvement in the plasma group. Conclusion: both techniques whether laser vaporization or plasma vaporization are considered safe, effective minimally invasive procedure in managing prostatic enlargement indicated for surgery. Both techniques are similar in the outcome and both lead to improvement of all parameters of prostatic symptoms. Laser vaporization looks to be faster, has stronger power to vaporize more tissues than plasma. No serious complications occurred in both groups. Nevertheless complications are more frequent in the plasma group.