Safety and efficacy of transurethral vaporization of the prostate using plasma kinetic energy: Long-term outcome

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of plasma kinetic vaporization (PKVP) of the prostate for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients had been enrolled in this study at Al-Azhar University Hospitals to evaluate their long-term follow-up after PKVP. The outcome was evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), peak urinary flow rate (Q(max)), postvoiding residual (PVR) of urine, prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and long-term complications of the surgery. RESULTS: Preoperatively, IPSS was 22.14 ± 2.22, QOL score was 4.90 ± 0.54, Q(max) was 8.97 ± 2.49 ml/s, PVR was 138.5 ± 56.5 ml, prostate volume was 64.32 ± 11.16 ml, and PSA level was 4.18 ± 1.95 ng/ml. Two years’ post-PKVP, IPSS decreased to 8.57 ± 5.55, QOL score decreased to 1.90 ± 1.22, Q(max) increased to 17.17 ± 7.91 ml/s, PVR decreased to 38.81 ± 59.54 ml, prostate volume decreased to 22.45 ± 7.22 ml, and PSA level decreased to 1.59 ± 0.74 ng/ml. One patient (4.8%) developed bulbar urethral stricture, 1 (4.8%) developed bladder neck contracture, and 1 (4.8%) developed meatal stenosis. Erectile dysfunction was reported by two out of 12 patients who were sexually potent before surgery, and retrograde ejaculation was reported by 10 patients (83%). CONCLUSION: The present study has demonstrated satisfactory good efficacy and safety of PKVP on the long term.