Treatment Options: Pros & Cons - All Procedures

Procedure

Pros

Cons

PowerSuite^™ holmium laser

Safe and effective. Fewer complications and post operative symptoms than Green Light; Can treat larger prostates.

Slower ablation rate than Green Light.

Green light laser

Faster ablation procedure.

Higher rate of irritative voiding symptoms and complications.

TURP

Safe and effective.

Invasive, associated with some undesirable complications. Long catheterization time (3-5 days), activity limited 8-12 weeks, hospital stay usually several days, bleeding is common; TUR syndrome can occur, retrograde ejaculation is common.

Open prostatectomy

Allows for complete removal of entire gland.

Invasive surgery with a long hospital stay and long recovery time.

Microwave therapy

Effect, but long-term efficacy has yet to be proven.

Prolonged catheter time, prolonged irritative voiding symptoms, Limited to smaller prostates and not applicable to patients with a median lobe.

Drugs

Non-invasive

Lifetime commitment, may not relieve symptoms over time and sometimes may have undesirable side effects, associated with long term costs.