The Greenlight Procedure

Advanced Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

An enlarged prostate can mean frequent trips to the bathroom and interrupted sleep. Medicines for this condition may not work that well, can be expensive, and may have unpleasant side effects. If this sounds like you, it’s time to take action. There are more treatment options today than ever before. GreenLight Laser Therapy has helped hundreds of thousands of men similar to you gain relief from frustrating BPH symptoms affecting their lives and the people closest to them.

With GreenLight Laser Therapy, you can get help with your BPH symptoms, to help you quickly get back to the things you like to do.

What is GreenLight Laser Therapy?

GreenLightTM Laser Therapy has helped over 700,000 men worldwide.

GreenLight Laser Prostatectomy (or Photo-Selective Vaporisation of the Prostate – PVP) is a relatively new procedure for the treatment of urinary blockage caused by non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate (otherwise known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).

In the past, a procedure known as Trans Urethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) was commonly performed to address Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). However, advancements in medical technology have led to the emergence of GreenLight Laser Prostatectomy, which provides men with an effective and safe treatment option for BPH, while minimizing side effects and reducing hospitalization time.

GreenLight Laser Prostatectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the insertion of a cystoscope (a telescopic camera) and a thin, flexible fiber through the penis, up the urethra (the water pipe), and into the prostate. Once the surgeon positions the instruments correctly within the prostatic portion of the urethra, they utilize the cystoscope to visualize the area and deliver high-power GreenLight laser energy. This laser energy instantly vaporizes the prostatic tissue, and the process continues until all obstructing prostate tissue has been eliminated.

When Medicine Isn’t Enough

Alternative Treatment Options

Typically medicines are first used to treat an enlarged prostate. However, sometimes drugs don’t provide enough symptom relief. Or the side effects can be bothersome. Drugs can be expensive. Or there may be other reasons medical therapy for BPH isn’t right for you.

Fortunately, there are alternatives :

Steam ablation of prostate cells is a minimally invasive procedure where a small probe is inserted through the urethra to deliver a few drops of steam in the narrowed area. Radio frequency energy heats the water in the device, generating the steam that kills the prostate cells causing urethral compression. The body naturally absorbs the dead cells. Usually, a catheter remains in place for 3-5 days after the procedure.

There is strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of this non-invasive treatment. It offers men an alternative to surgery and helps avoid potential sexual side effects like impotence and ejaculation problems.

The temporary implantable nitinol device, made of a material called nitinol, is placed in the prostate for 3-5 days before being removed. Currently, there is limited data available to fully endorse its widespread use. However, further studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness and determine how it fits into the range of treatment options for BPH.

This non-invasive approach is highly recommended for moderate disease. It offers a major advantage: instead of cutting or removing prostate tissue, the procedure involves lifting the obstructing prostate to prevent it from blocking the urethra. As a result, recovery time is typically much quicker compared to traditional methods. In many cases, it can be performed under local anesthesia, eliminating the need for a urethral catheter.

Greenlight Laser Prostatectomy versus Trans Urethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

GreenLight Laser Prostatectomy and TURP are both utilized for the treatment of the same condition, BPH. However, there exist several notable distinctions between these two therapies. GreenLight Laser Prostatectomy employs a patented GreenLight diode-pumped solid state laser, capable of delivering up to 180 watts of laser energy directly to the prostate tissue, resulting in rapid vaporization of the tissue.

On the other hand, TURP involves the excision of prostate tissue using a resectoscope and electrocautery. Electrocautery cuts the prostate tissue, necessitating the physical removal of the tissue.

In both procedures, catheters are inserted to assist in draining urine from the bladder. Following GreenLight Laser therapy, the catheter is typically removed around 12.2 hours after insertion, in contrast to approximately 44.52 hours for a TURP. Similarly, there is a significant reduction in hospital length of stay for patients who undergo GreenLight Laser Prostatectomy. On average, patients spend 1.08 days in the hospital following the procedure, compared to 3.4 days following a TURP. (Refer to the graphs below for further details.)

Compared with TURP, GreenLight Laser Prostatectomy patients have:

Quicker improvement in urinary symptoms and flow
Quicker return to normal activities
Less intra-operative and post operative bleeding
Long lasting treatment
Less risk of sexual dysfunction.

Numerous research studies have reviewed patient outcomes following GreenLight Laser Prostatectomy, which include:

88% reduction in the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate
98% improved quality of life
170% improvement in urine flow, and an
84% reduction in the amount of urine retained in the bladder after voiding.

What Happens during the GreenLightTM Procedure?

The following is intended as a general overview. Your experience may differ. Please talk to your doctor about potential risks and questions you may have about the procedure.

Step 1

Before treatment begins, you may be asked to empty your bladder.

Step 2

You will then be brought into the procedure room and moved to the treatment bed where you will lie on your back. Your doctor may give you a medication to help you relax.

Step 3

The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia.
This means that you will be asleep during the procedure. A different type of anesthesia may be used, depending on the treatment center.

Step 4

Once the anesthesia takes effect, your doctor will insert a small scope into your urethra. The scope allows your doctor to see the inner surfaces of the urethra, prostate and bladder.

Step 5

After the scope is in place, your doctor will advance the laser device through the scope to the location of the enlarged prostate tissue.

Step 6

Your doctor will then vaporize the prostate tissue that is obstructing urine flow. Dead tissue that is not immediately vaporized will be passed naturally in your urine during the first few days after your surgery.

Step 7

A temporary urinary catheter may be placed at the end of the procedure to let urine drain from your bladder.

After the Procedure

People typically go home within a few hours after the procedure. You should arrange for a ride home.

If a urinary catheter was placed in your bladder at the end of the procedure, it will typically be removed within 24 hours. However, some patients may require a catheter for a longer time.

Most patients experience very rapid relief of symptoms and a dramatic improvement in urine flow. This usually occurs within 24 hours of the procedure. Your experience may differ.

Your doctor will provide you with specific discharge instructions and information on signs and symptoms that may require further medical attention.

You may experience mild discomfort such as slight burning during urination and see small amounts of blood in your urine for a week or so. Also, depending on the condition of your bladder, you may experience greater frequency and urge to urinate. This will likely resolve over time.

Usually, you can return to your everyday activities within a short time after the GreenLightTM procedure. If you have any questions, ask your doctor.

Risks

Every surgical procedure may have complications. The same is true for GreenLight LaserTM Therapy.
The most common complications include:

Hematuria – Blood in the urine
Irritation of the bladder – Results in frequent and/or urgent need to urinate
Irritation of the urethra – Frequent urination, burning sensation
Retrograde ejaculation – Semen during sexual climax travels backward to the bladder rather than exiting through the penis

At doctor’s instruction, some patients taking blood-thinners can be treated with GreenLight without stopping their medicines.

Numerous research studies have reviewed patient outcomes following GreenLight Laser Prostatectomy, which include:

88% reduction in the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate
98% improved quality of life
170% improvement in urine flow, and an
84% reduction in the amount of urine retained in the bladder after voiding.

Next Steps

You can get back to your life without the hassles of remembering to take BPH or enlarged prostate pills, dealing with side effects, and paying for prescriptions.

Talk to your doctor to see if GreenLightTM Laser Therapy is right for you. It just might be the best choice for symptom relief from an enlarged prostate.

It’s time to take action and get measurable results – without medications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BPH a type of cancer?

No, BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) is not a type of cancer. It is a benign condition, unrelated to prostate cancer, which can greatly affect a man’s quality of life.

Do I have to stay in the hospital after a GreenLightTM procedure?

GreenLight is generally performed as a same-day surgical procedure. Typically, an overnight stay in the hospital is not required.

What effect does the GreenLight procedure have on sexual function?

The GreenLight procedure has been shown to have no overall negative impact on sexual function.

How long does it take until symptoms are relieved?

Most patients experience very rapid relief of symptoms and improvement in urine flow within 24 hours of the procedure. However, medical history, health conditions, and other factors can influence treatment and recovery.

Will I continue to need prostate medication after the GreenLightTM procedure?

Most patients are able to discontinue taking their prostate medication within a few weeks after the GreenLight procedure. However, as with any medication, consult with your doctor before making any changes to your dosing.

How soon can I return to work?

Most patients can resume their normal activities within a couple of days. Strenuous activities can be resumed within a short time. Your doctor will discuss any restrictions and your specific condition with you during your visit following your procedure.

Is GreenLight Laser Therapy covered by insurance?

The Implants are intended to be permanent. The implant is made up of standard surgical implantable materials: a nitinol capsular tab, a stainless steel urethral tab, and polyethylene suture that holds the two tabs together. Your doctor can remove the urethral implant, if needed. The suture can be cut and the urethral endpiece can be retrieved with a standard grasper. The capsular tab will remain in place inside the body.