Clinical experience with laser prostatectomies

A number of laser techniques have been compared to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in a small number of randomised trials. The current results are encouraging but are still inferior to TURP in a number of areas. These deficiencies may be compensated by the low serious complication rate following laser treatments. Long term follow up is required on all patients studied. Inevitably new advances in laser technology will lead to further treatment refinements and potentially improved results. This should not detract from continued detailed evaluation of currently available techniques