Greenlight Laser

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in men over 50 years of age. Also known as prostate adenoma, BPH is characterised by an enlarged prostate gland that compresses the urethra channel carrying urine. This causes many patients to feel uncomfortable emptying their bladder or to have frequent urges to urinate. To remove the central part of the prostate responsible for this obstruction, Elsan offers its patients pioneering technology: prostate vaporisation. The prostate is not completely removed – only the part responsible for the obstruction. This procedure is performed using the Greenlight Laser, a system adopted by a growing number of urology departments. After the procedure, patients are able to urinate normally again.

A shorter hospital stay with the Greenlight Laser

The Greenlight Laser offers a key advantage over traditional techniques (in particular transurethral resection of the prostate, which cuts the adenoma into fragments): it lessens the risk of bleeding, since “vaporisation” ensures immediate coagulation of vessels. This reduces the risk of haemorrhage following treatment, especially in patients taking anticoagulants. It also allows patients to leave hospital earlier.

A laser fibre less than 2 mm in diameter

The operation is performed under general or loco-regional anaesthesia by Elsan teams. The procedure involves destroying part of the prostate tissue surrounding the urethra canal and thus widening the urinary tract. To do this, an endoscope with an attached camera is inserted naturally (via the urethra) through to the prostate, allowing the passage of a laser fibre less than 2 mm in diameter. The laser removes part of the prostate gland through the urethra channel using vaporisation. The procedure lasts between 20 minutes and two hours. At the end of the procedure, the patient is fitted with a urinary catheter that must be kept in place for 12 to 24 hours.