BPH Treatment: GreenLight Laser Therapy

When is this treatment appropriate?

Medications may be the first course of treatment for an enlarged prostate. If medications do not provide enough symptom relief, if side effects are bothersome or if prescriptions become too expensive, some men choose an alternative treatment.

How it Works

GreenLight™ is a minimally invasive procedure for BPH that involves heating of prostate tissue. It is performed as an outpatient procedure.

The procedure is typically performed under anesthesia. The urologist inserts a small scope into your urethra, allowing him/her to see the inner surfaces of the urethra, prostate and bladder.

Your urologist will then vaporize the prostate tissue that is obstructing urine flow. Natural urine flow is rapidly restored in most patients.

Recovery

A temporary catheter may be placed at the end of the procedure to let urine drain from your bladder.

Most patients go home within a few hours, but some require an over­night stay. If a urinary catheter was used, it is typically removed with­in 24 hours.