A solution...
not just a
compromise.
Six years ago when Jack Ferris was suffering from symptoms of enlarged prostate (BPH-benign prostatic hyperplasia), his urologist of five years strongly suggested a TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate). Knowing that his father had spent five days in the hospital and almost died from TURP surgery, Jack was very motivated to look for an alternative treatment. Under the recommendation of his son, Jack visited a doctor trained in the GreenLight PVP™ Laser Procedure for Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate. He considers this visit “The best decision of my life.”
Research and Development
The GreenLight PVP Laser Procedure that Jack chose, is the result of a decade of laser development at a company called Laserscope, a pioneer in medical lasers and advanced fiber optics, and over five years of clinical investigation.
The GreenLight PVP procedure allows the urologist to deliver the clinical benefits of a TURP with the benefits and ease of a minimally invasive treatment. Only half of the patients require catheterization, and then usually for less than 24 hours. Recovery time is quick, allowing patients to return to non-strenuous activities within the week. Based on clinical data, no other BPH procedure has shown such dramatic and immediate relief of symptoms.
Jack Ferris attests to that, “I am happy to report that my prostate is wonderful. As my stream is strong when I urinate, I continue to have absolutely no problems, my bladder completely empties … I feel like I’m 30 years old again.”
Urologists are taking note of Patient Enthusiasm
The high level of patient satisfaction and outstanding clinic outcomes are driving demand for the GreenLight PVP procedure. According to Dr. Kye Pahk a urologist at Surgical Center of Central Florida "patients have been extremely satisfied to the point that they have been referring everybody that they think needs this procedure. Don't do any other procedure; this is so much simpler. Word of mouth has been very strong motivation, even for patients on medical therapy.”
Dr. Kye Pahk adds, "I've been impressed with the public reaction. I have patients have been "shopping around" and realize the value of the procedure. The patients we've treated with PVP have been very happy and very satisfied".
Breakthrough Technology provides a Solution
Dr. Kevin Lee from the Surgical Center of Central Florida explains, “PVP is a form of laser procedure that is most effective in vaporizing prostate tissue; in essence, the tissue turns into vapor without leaving any residual or charring. The KTP laser is photoselective and is attracted to hemoglobin, sealing off the blood vessels so there is minimal or no bleeding at all. The depth of penetration with this laser is very controlled it only affects tissue 1 to 2 mm in depth. There is no extensive damage beyond what is vaporized so there is no sloughing of tissue or accompanying irritative symptoms post-treatment. This is why GreenLight PVP is such a successful procedure and why it is so different from laser treatments of the past.”
Patients attest to Ease of Procedure
To perform the GreenLight PVP procedure, a small flexible fiber optic is inserted into the urethra through a continuous flow cystoscope, an instrument that allows the physician interior examination of the bladder and urethra. The fiber transmits laser energy that quickly and completely vaporizes the enlarged prostate tissue. Via the cystoscope, the physician is able to safely view and control the treatment area. During the procedure patients feel no discomfort; some have indicated that they have felt a slight sensation of warmth. Typically no overnight stay is needed and many patients go home a short time after the procedure. Medicare, as well as most insurance plans, reimburse for GreenLight PVP treatment of BPH.
Jack Ferris’ experience was typical; “It was as simple as 1, 2, 3. I checked into the hospital at 6:15am, by 8:30am surgery began, and I was out of the recovery room and back in my room by 10am. More importantly there was no pain, nor blood loss, and I even had lunch by 12 noon.”
The need for Alternative Treatments
For patients suffering from BPH, current treatment options have included drugs, thermal or heat therapies and the more invasive TURP surgery. While medication can improve the symptoms of BPH, it often requires daily dosing for life with expensive drugs that have significant side effects, and most patients will eventually require surgery.
Thermal therapies, which use microwave, radio frequency energy or water, heat the prostate tissue, removing only minimal amounts of the obstructed tissue. Because there is a significant amount of tissue left behind, there is a minimal change in prostate size. This results in inconsistent patient improvement and symptoms often get worse for weeks post-treatment, before slowly improving. A catheter is usually needed for a couple of days to several weeks.
TURP requires general anesthesia, and because of significant bleeding, a transfusion may be required. TURP patients can also expect a one to four day hospital stay followed by four to five weeks of recovery, including wearing a catheter for one to three days. Side effects of TURP may include incontinence, impotence and a high percentage of retrograde ejaculation or dry climax.
GreenLight PVP is a Solution, not a Compromise
The GreenLight PVP Procedure provides a solution for BPH without the compromises or complications involved with other treatment options. Combining the best of both worlds--long lasting results with the safety, benefits and ease of a minimally invasive treatment.
Measuring outstanding Success with GreenLight PVP Procedure
According to Dr. Kevin Lee, “Most patients are very satisfied with the procedure.”The measurement of urine flow rate, or what urologists refer to as Q-max, has also seen a dramatic improvement. “Improvements in uroflow rates were 185.1 percent at six months and close to 200 percent at 12 months.”
Setting a new Gold Standard
While TURP has long been considered the gold standard for treating an enlarged prostate, patients as well as physicians are often dissatisfied with the risks, complications and recovery period. Since the availability of the GreenLight laser technology, more and more doctors and patients are choosing the GreenLight PVP procedure for the safe, immediate relief of BPH symptoms. It is an alternative without the risks, without the complications and without the compromises. And, it is a procedure that just may become the new gold standard in treatment for BPH.
For patients wanting more information on the GreenLight PVP Procedure, please call the Surgical Center of Central Florida at (863) 382-7500 of e-mail us at thesurgicalcenter@earthlink.net