[Laser-assisted endoscopic resection: a new surgical technique for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Preliminary results of a study involving 100 patients].

: This study was designed to assess the efficiency of 2 kind of laser prostatectomy devices in the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: a non contact technique versus a contact technique versus a contact one. From January 1994 to September 1994, 100 patients were included in a randomized comparison of 2 laser prostatectomy devices with right angle firing laser fibers: a non contact technique with Urolase fiber (Bard) (50 patients) versus a contact technique with Fibertom fiber (Dornier) (50 patients). The Urolase fiber was used at 60 Watts power setting for 60 seconds and administered to each lobe at 2, 4, 8 and 10 o'clock positions. The Fibertom fiber was used by dragging or the so called "painting" technique at 3 and 6 months with 3 parameters: Madsen symptom scores, peak urinary flow rates and post-void residual urine volumes. Operative morbidity rate was 9%. No difference in morbidity between both fibers. No blood transfusion was required in any case. Statistical analysis of the aforementioned parameters shows a p-value of < 0.001 for all parameters. Comparing the 2 different fibers, there was no statistical difference in outcome for any of these parameters. From this study we conclude that the preliminary results achieved, using the Urolase and the Fibertom fiber, are equivocal and interesting. However, a long term follow-up is necessary to evaluate the definitive efficiency of laser prostatectomy and to determine the optimal procedure.