<title>Complete prostatic ablation using a two-stage laser</title>

Abstract

Laser photoirradiation has been delivered encloscopically for the treatment of both benign prostatic hyperplasia and early localized pmstatic carcinoma. In treating carcinoma, aggressive iransurethral resection of the prostate has been followed with laser irradiation to the remnants of malignant capsular disease. No attempt has been made heretofore to completely destroy the glandular prostate using laser irradiation alone. We performed a two-stage endoscopic laser prostatectomy in 6 adult mongrel dogs in an attempt to completely destroy the glandular prostate. Although no complications developed, histologic evaluation of the prostate revealed viable glandular elements in the midst of necrosis and atrophy. We conclude that in order to accomplish total ablation of the glandular prostate using laser photoirradiation, more precise thermal telemetry is needed.