HOW I DO IT

• Olympus PlasmaButton transurethral vaporization technique for benign prostatic hyperplasia

  McClelland Michael, MD Urology Austin, Austin, Texas, USA

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  OBJECTIVE: This article will describe an efficient and effective method of using Olympus PlasmaButton (Olympus, Southborough, MA, USA) for transurethral vaporizations of the prostate (TUVP). METHODS: This method was developed over the last 18 months. Patients undergoing this Olympus PlasmaButton TUVP had the inner aspect of the prostate vaporized until it was believed to be significantly open and unobstructed. RESULTS: Patients were found to do very well with what appears to be durable results. Postoperative short and long term bleeding has not been a significant issue using this method. CONCLUSION: The Olympus PlasmaButton procedure is a new minimally invasive therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As with all new technologies there are methods that a surgeon learns with increased experience that help make the procedure more effective, efficient, and safer. This article shows one surgeon's technique that has been developed over time and has become a successful way to manage patients undergoing the minimally invasive transurethral vaporization of the prostate. There are probably other vaporization techniques that surgeons have learned with use of the PlasmaButton that may be equally effective.

  Keywords: benign prostatic hyperplasia, photovaporization, transurethral vaporization of the prostate, technique,

  Apr 2011 (Vol. 18, Issue 2 , Page 5630)
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