NICE backs laser for BPH
Reviewed by Arun K Sharma

Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects 60% of men aged 60 or over. The medical technology division of the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) has supported the GreenLight XPS laser system as a surgical tool. The specific indications are: 1) Prostate less than 100cc in volume; 2) No previous urinary retention; 3) No high risks of bleeding. The guidance says that laser treatment is as effective as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and can be performed as day case surgery. There could be potential cost savings, less morbidity and an earlier return to work for these patients. My only comment is that each hospital and each urology department will have to develop their own protocol in regards to how best to use this technology. 

NICE backs laser treatment for men with enlarged prostate.
Wise J.
BMJ
2016;353:i3310.