Division of Urologic Surgery
The Division of Urologic Surgery, part of the Department of Surgery, offers exceptional patient care, research programs, and education and training opportunities.
GreenLight Laser Therapy
Laser treatment for enlarged prostate
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Treating Your Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) with GreenLight Procedure
The Division of Urologic Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) offers GreenLight laser therapy as a treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Understanding GreenLight Therapy
If you have BPH and other treatment options are not enough to control your symptoms, your prostate care team may suggest GreenLight laser therapy. This is a newer alternative to the more invasive transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) surgery. Your BIDMC prostate care team will help determine which treatment option is the best choice for you.
Benefits of GreenLight Therapy
GreenLight laser therapy can quickly improve your urinary flow and other urinary symptoms. Compared to TURP, it offers:
- Less blood loss.
- Long-lasting treatment.
- Quicker recovery time.
- Shorter catheterization time.
How the GreenLight Procedure Works
You will be under general anesthesia (fully asleep) for this procedure. Your urologist uses a cystoscope (a thin, flexible scope with a camera on the end) to insert a small fiber into your urethra (tube through which urine exits the body). The fiber delivers high-power laser energy, which heats the prostate tissue. This leads to tissue vaporization. Your urologist delivers the laser energy until they remove all enlarged prostate tissue.
The GreenLight procedure typically takes one to two hours, depending on the size of your prostate.
A catheter (drainage tube for urine) will remain in place after your procedure. You will stay one night in the hospital. Get details on what to expect during your stay at the hospital.
Risk & Side Effects of GreenLight Therapy
After green light laser therapy, you may experience temporary side effects. Common risks and side effects of this treatment include:
- Bladder spasms or urgency.
- Dysuria (burning with urination).
- Frequent urination due to bladder irritation.
- Hematuria (blood in the urine).
- Incontinence (rare).
- Retrograde ejaculation (some or all of your ejaculate goes backwards into the bladder instead of forward through the urethra).
You should contact your doctor if you have:
- Large amounts of bright red blood or clots (quarter size) in your urine.
- A temperature greater than 101.5° F.
- Nausea, vomiting, chills or shaking.
- An inability to urinate.
Follow-up Care
You will see your doctor about one month after surgery. Your doctor will assess your overall recovery, including improvements in your urinary flow.
