Does GreenLight laser therapy help with bladder issues?

From the Guidelines

GreenLight laser therapy is not a recommended treatment for bladder issues, as the current evidence is limited and of poor quality, and other treatments such as HoLEP and TURP have shown better efficacy and safety profiles. The 2023 European Association of Urology guidelines on the management of non-neurogenic male lower urinary tract symptoms do not provide strong recommendations for GreenLight laser therapy, citing a lack of high-quality evidence regarding its efficacy and safety 1.

The guidelines do recommend other treatments, such as holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), which have been shown to be effective and safe for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) 1. HoLEP, in particular, has been found to have similar mid- to long-term efficacy to TURP, with longer operation times, shorter catheterization and hospitalization times, reduced blood loss, and fewer blood transfusions 1.

Some key points to consider when evaluating treatment options for BPH include:

• The size of the prostate: GreenLight laser therapy may be considered for smaller prostates, but other treatments such as HoLEP and TURP may be more effective for larger prostates.
• The patient's medical history: Patients with certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, may be better suited for treatments with lower bleeding risks, such as HoLEP.
• The patient's preferences: Patients who value quicker recovery times and less bleeding may prefer GreenLight laser therapy, but should be informed of the limited evidence and potential risks.

Overall, while GreenLight laser therapy may be an option for some patients with BPH, the current evidence does not support its use as a first-line treatment, and other options such as HoLEP and TURP shouldnear be considered based on individual patient needs and preferences 1.

From the Research

GreenLight Laser Therapy for Bladder Issues

• The GreenLight laser therapy has been studied as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which can cause lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• The studies have shown that GreenLight laser vaporization is a safe and effective treatment for BPH, with significant improvements in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum flow rate (Qmax), and post-void residual (PVR) urine 2, 4, 5, 6.
• The treatment has been compared to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), with similar results in terms of symptom improvement, but with fewer complications and shorter hospital stays for the GreenLight laser therapy 2, 5.
• One study also investigated the use of GreenLight laser therapy in combination with holmium laser lithotripsy for the treatment of BPH and bladder lithiasis, and found it to be a safe and effective treatment option 3.
• The 180W XPS GreenLight laser has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for BPH, with significant improvements in IPSS, Qmax, and PVR, and no major complications or blood transfusions required 6.

Efficacy of GreenLight Laser Therapy

• The studies have consistently shown that GreenLight laser therapy is an effective treatment for BPH, with significant improvements in symptoms and urinary flow rates 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• The treatment has been shown to be effective in the short-term and long-term, with sustained improvements in symptoms and urinary flow rates at follow-up periods of up to 36 months 4, 5.
• The GreenLight laser therapy has also been shown to be effective in patients with larger prostates, with significant improvements in symptoms and urinary flow rates 6.

Safety of GreenLight Laser Therapy

• The studies have consistently shown that GreenLight laser therapy is a safe treatment for BPH, with few complications and no major adverse events 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• The treatment has been shown to have a lower risk of complications compared to TURP, including fewer blood transfusions and shorter hospital stays 2, 5.
• The GreenLight laser therapy has also been shown to be safe in patients with bleeding disorders, with no increased risk of bleeding complications 4.