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Evidence summaries

Holmium:yag Laser in Urology

Holmium:YAG laser appears to be an effective treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia at least in the short term. Level of evidence: "B"

A systematic review 1 including 27 studies (25 clinical series and 2 RCTs) was abstracted in DARE. There were 6 series and 2 RCTs on benign prostatic hyperplasia. One RCT compared the clinical efficacy of the Ho:YAG laser with the Nd:YAG laser. After one year of follow-up both outcome measures (AUA score and peak urinary flow) were slightly better for the Ho:YAG laser. The second RCT compared clinical efficacy of the Ho:YAG laser in resecting prostatic tissue compared with TURP. At 6 months follow-up Ho:YAG laser produced similar or slightly better short-term outcomes than TURP, with fewer side effects. According to case series, the Ho:YAG laser was also reported to be useful in fragmentation of urinary stones, in the treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma, renal carcinoma, ureteric and urethral strictures, PUJ obstructions, and bladder neck contractures.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by sparse data.

References

  • Larizgoitia I, Pons JM. A systematic review of the clinical efficacy and effectiveness of the holmium:YAG laser in urology. BJU Int 1999 Jul;84(1):1-9. [PubMed][DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords