Half of men over the age of fifty will have an enlarged prostate. By the age of 80, 80% of all men develop Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Although not life threatening, it is painful, embarrassing and affects quality of life. Until recently, urologists and patients were forced to make significant compromises when choosing a BPH treatment. Invasive surgery carries higher risks and complications, medications are costly and bothersome and many heat treatments are not effective. Now there is a simple laser treatment that delivers immediate and long lasting relief, a dramatic improvement in urinary flow with minimal risks and a short recovery period.

The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland located beneath the bladder and rectum. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine. Found only in men, the main function of the prostate is to provide fluid for semen. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement that causes urinary symptoms. The symptoms of BPH include: frequent urination, especially at night; the urgent need to urinate; difficulty starting urination; dribbling or leaking after urination; the feeling that the bladder never completely empties; and a weak urine stream.

1. Medical therapy is designed to either reduce the size of the prostate or relax the smooth muscles of the bladder & prostate. However, drugs are costly, must be taken daily and can interfere with other medications. Side effects include impotence, dizziness, headaches and fatigue.
2. Thermal Treatments such as TUMT, TUNA and ILC, use heat to destroy prostate tissue. The destroyed scar tissue is left in the body resulting in increased urinary symptoms for several weeks. Patients may need to wear a catheter for days or weeks. Side effects include painful urination, urinary infections, impotence, incontinence and retrograde ejaculation.
3. Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is a more effective treatment for restoring a strong urine flow. However, there are significant risks and complications associated with this invasive surgical treatment. They include blood transfusion, impotence, incontinence, infection, painful urination, high rate of retrograde ejaculation, 1-4 day hospital stay, 1-3 days wearing a catheter and a 4-6 week recovery period.
4. Photoselective Vaporisation of the Prostate (PVP) combines the effectiveness of an invasive surgical procedure with the safety and ease of a minimally invasive procedure. Unlike laser treatments of the past, this laser removes excess tissue so urinary symptoms are immediately relieved. Recovery time is short and nearly painless. The safety and efficacy of this procedure has been proven in clinical studies conducted at many leading institutions. Thousands of patients have been successfully treated with the PVP Laser System.

The GreenLight PVP Laser Procedure is unique because it uses a very high-powered patented green light laser to immediately vaporise and precisely remove the enlarged prostate tissue. A thin fibre is inserted into the urethra through a cystoscope, a hollow tube that allows the doctor to examine the bladder and prostate. The fibre delivers green laser energy that quickly vaporises and precisely removes enlarged prostate tissue. The doctor is able to safely view and control the treatment area, tailoring it to your individual needs. Because the tissue is vaporised and removed, a wide-open channel is created. Natural urine flow is immediately restored and urinary symptoms are relieved.

• Dramatically restores natural urine flow
• Immediately relieves urinary symptoms
• Long lasting sustained improvement
• Quick and nearly painless recovery
• Virtually bloodless procedure
• No catheter in many cases
• Preserves sexual function

Is the GreenLight PVP procedure FDA approved?
Yes, the GreenLight PVP Laser Procedure received US FDA clearance in May 2001. Since then, thousands of patients have been treated successfully in the US , Europe, and Far East .

Will I have to spend the night in hospital?
Most patients can go home a few hours after the procedure. An overnight stay is advisable if your procedure was done late in the day, if you travelled a long distance to reach the hospital or, as in some cases, a catheter may have to be left in place for 24 hours.

Will I need anaesthesia?
Depending upon your individual medical condition, your doctor may use general or spinal anaesthesia, or block the nerves to your prostate using a local anaesthetic.

Will I feel any pain?
Patients have not reported any pain during the procedure. After the procedure you may have slight burning during urination for about a week or so. This is easily managed with mild pain medications.

How long before I see results?
Most patients obtain immediate relief of symptoms and dramatic improvement in urine flow within 24 hours of the procedure.

What are the side effects, risks and complications of GreenLight PVP?
The procedure is generally considered to be very safe. Patients may experience slight burning and/or a little bit of blood in the urine for a couple of weeks. Retrograde ejaculation may occur. According to clinical studies, no patients have suffered loss of control of their bladder; loss of sexual ability; or have required a blood transfusion.

How soon can I return to normal activities?
Most patients can resume normal activities within the week. This would include a desk job and driving a car, which you should be able to resume within a couple of days. You will have to avoid more strenuous activities for about 14 days following the procedure.

Will I still be able to have sex following the PVP procedure?
The GreenLight PVP Procedure should not affect your ability to have an erection or an orgasm. If you are sexually active now, you can look forward to remaining sexually active.

Can I have PVP if I have failed TUNA, TUMT, ILC, WIT, or TURP?
Yes, many patients who have failed these technologies have been successfully treated with PVP.

My doctor has recommended that I have a TURP? Can I still have the PVP procedure?
As a rule, if you are a suitable candidate for TURP, you can be considered a good candidate for PVP.

How do I know if I am a candidate for PVP?
Consult your doctor if you suffer from the BPH symptoms described in this brochure. He can determine if you are a candidate, based upon your history & physical examination, as well as his clinical judgement.