Influence of Intravesical Prostatic Protrusion on Preoperative Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Outcomes after 120 W High Performance System Laser Treatment in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) with the 120 W Greenlight high performance system (HPS) laser for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 389 BPH patients who underwent PVP with the 120 W HPS laser from April 2009 to August 2011. The patients were divided into groups according to IPP: group I was defined as IPP of 0 to 5 mm (n=216), group II as IPP of 5 to 10 mm (n=135), and group III as IPP above 10 mm (n=38). Prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), and postvoid residual volume (PVR) were assessed and checked at postoperative 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the mean prostate size in each group (p<0.05). The preoperative total IPSS score, IPSS voiding symptom score, and quality of life score were not significantly different. However, the IPSS storage symptom score was significantly different between groups 1 and 2 and group 3. IPSS scores, Qmax, and PVR at postoperative 1, 3, 6, and 12 months showed significant improvement compared with preoperative values. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of IPP can affect storage symptoms. However, there is no significant correlation between the degree of IPP and postoperative results. Also, the degree of IPP does not affect short- and long-term PVP results. Proper elimination of bladder outlet obstruction is important for symptomatic relief.