HEIDELBERG, Germany, October 22 /PRNewswire/ --
- Very First Edition of New "Prostate NEWS"
The treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is currently undergoing a radical change. State-of-the-art laser methods are outstripping the classic resection procedure. An interview with urologist Dr. med. Joachim-Ernst Deuster, founder of the Heidelberg Klinik für Prostata-Therapie.
What makes the greenlight laser so attractive?
Dr. Deuster: The greenlight laser represents a wholly new dimension of minimal-invasive and low-risk treatment, one that has been unthinkable before now. This method is far gentler for the patient than any other method and enables him to leave the clinic after only one or two days.
Doesn't this minimal-invasive surgery mean the end for conventional resection?
That's indeed the case. Here at the Heidelberg Klinik für Prostata-Therapie we've been using the greenlight laser with success ever since 2003, although we did reach our limits in the case of an extremely enlarged prostate.
And there are no limits any more?
We surgeons have to be very careful about making promises. But one thing I can say is that with the high performance output of the 120-watt power laser we can treat prostates of almost any size.
How does the new miracle weapon against BPH work?
The extremely shallow penetration depth of the radiation means that there is no swelling or inflammation of the tissue. The improved degree to which the light beam can be focussed and the enhanced power output produce a much better vaporization effect; in other words, more tissue is eradicated to a better degree, and this much more rapidly too.
That sounds impressive, and the advantages are now certainly with you and the new laser. But surely you're not the only centre that uses this method?
That's right. Then again, we've treated over 1,350 patients so far, we've got the most experience with this method in Germany, so to a certain degree we regard ourselves as the pioneers of a state-of-the-art therapeutic procedure holding great promise for the future.
And so to the last question: Will the greenlight laser become the gold standard - or maybe it already has?
I'm quite certain on that - secretly it already is the standard. It has long since superseded the conventional transurethral resection method at renowned clinics. And understandably, too, since who'd like to expose himself to unnecessary risks and to suffer from discomfort unless it's absolutely unavoidable?!
Dr. Deuster was interviewed by Martin Boeckh, science journalist, Gaiberg.
The complete interview in the "Prostate NEWS" can be found on the website http://www.prostata-therapie.de/
Medical contact: Klinik für Prostata -Therapie GmbH Brückenkopfstr. 1-2, D-69120 Heidelberg Phone: +49-6221-409022 Dr.Deuster@prostata-therapie.de Press contact: agentur pressekontakt.com mailto:info@pressekontakt.com
Medical contact: Klinik für Prostata -Therapie GmbH, Brückenkopfstr. 1-2, D-69120 Heidelberg, Phone: +49-6221-409022, Dr.Deuster@prostata-therapie.de; Press contact: agentur pressekontakt.com, email: info@pressekontakt.com
