PVP (Photoselective Vaporization of Prostate) in South Africa

During this procedure, a thin fiber is inserted into the urethra through a cystoscope, an instrument that allows examination of the bladder and prostate by the doctor. A channel is created in the prostate that functions to allow better flow of urine than before the laser PVP procedure. Due to minimal bleeding during the procedure patients can go home on the day of operation or the day after.

PVP is being used as an alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and has been shown to be as effective the TURP procedure.

Reasons to have a laser prostatectomy?

• The prostate-related problems are very distressing, and other treatments have not led to a big enough improvement.
• The enlargement of the prostate can cause other medical problems such as bladder stones and urinary tract infections

Enlarged prostate that causes urinary symptoms that are not adequately improved by medicines

• Urinary symptoms that are bothersome and treatment with medication is not possible for medical reasons
• The inability to pass urine without a catheter
• Kidneys that are not functioning properly because the prostate is blocking the bladder recurrent urine infections due to obstruction caused by the prostate bleeding from the prostate due its enlargement

Reasons you should prefer Laser PVP

• Minimal bleeding
• Only 30% of patients need a post-op catheter
• Patients can be charged immediately after the operation
• Patients can resume normal activities within days of the surgery
• Compilations during the procedure are rare and if they occur, they are mild.
• Post-operative impotence has not been linked with the PVP procedure.
• Sexual dysfunction conditions such as Retrograde ejaculation and erectile dysfunction are less likely to occur in PVP
• Leads to improved urine flow due to fewer symptoms of urinary obstruction

Reasons you should have a laser prostatectomy

• Having a laser prostatectomy reduces the chance of having urinary symptoms
• Significantly less bleeding
• Smaller instruments are used as compared to the TURP(Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) method, hence, these reduce the chance of a urethral stricture

Disadvantages of having a laser prostatectomy

• When compared to the standard TURP method, the PVP procedure takes a longer time to perform and this makes it slightly ineffective on large glands.
• Due to the prostate being vaporized, there is no possible to analyze any tissue that confirms that the prostate cancer has been completely removed.
• After the laser PVP procedure, it is more common to find discomfort in passing urine in this procedure than the standard TURP method.
• Sometimes the dead prostatic tissue is passed and thus interrupting the flow of urine.
• In some rare cases, complications can occur.