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Laser ablation of the prostatic tissue or laser prostatectomy, is used as an alternative method to traditional endoscopic resection of the prostate (TURP). Recently, there have been reports of transurethral coagulation of the prostate using various sidefiring laser systems. These devices can be classified into two groups: one that uses total internal reflection, and one that has a gold-plated metal reflecting mirror. We have developed a new Albarran bridge with these characteristics in order to minimize the restrictions presented by the other delivery systems. Laser coagulation of the prostate has been performed using a conventional bare fiber passed through a sidefiring Albarran bridge containing a distal gold-plated reflector with a deflecting mechanism. The complete device passes through a 21 F. rigid cystourethroscope. The system and the fiber can be used for several dozen treatments. Transurethral laser coagulation was performed on 65 patients for obstructive symptoms caused by begnin prostatic hyperplasia. The dosimetry was 1000 J per 1cc of prostatic tissue at 60 W for 60 seconds. Successful results were obtained in 55 patients (85%). A significant reduction in obstructive symptoms from a mean AUA-6 Symptom Score of 21.2 preoperatively to 9.1 at 3 months and 7.6 at 6 months was associated with an increase in the peak urine flow rate from 6.1 mL/sec preoperatively to 13.1 mL/sec at 3 months and 15.7 mL/sec at 6 months. The residual urine volume averaged 190 mL preoperatively and 365 mL at 6 months. Transurethral laser coagulation of the prostate represents a useful alternative to transurethral resection, especially in high-risk patients with an enlarged median lobe or a small prostate. Treatment is bloodless and, with the aid of the modified Albarran bridge, can be performed with standard urological instrumentation and conventional Nd:YAG laser system. The new Albarran bridge also can reduce the cost of laser treatment.
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