[Greenlight(®) photoselective vaporization of the prostate: Contemporary practices in France].

INTRODUCTION: Photovaporization of the prostate by the Greenlight(®) laser (GL) has been strongly developed this past few years in France, representing nearly 30% of surgery for BPH, making France the second GL user worldwide after USA. The objective of this study was to assess the French surgeons practices with the Greenlight(®) laser.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the 4th meeting of French Greenlight(®) users group (GUGL), was proposed a questionnaire on the management of patients and the GL technique. The questionnaire covered the operator's characteristics (age, experience with the GL, etc.), the treatment strategy, preoperative management (anticoagulants…) and postoperative management (ambulatory, removal catheter…) as well as the surgical technique (fiber type, energy used, etc.).

RESULTS: Among the 117 participants, 64 answered to the questionnaire (55%). Fifty-six percent chose GL, whatever was the prostate volume, simple prostatectomy was the most commonly alternative used for high prostate size (39%). The aspirin was pursued by 89% of practitioners perioperatively. Conversely, clopidogrel was continued by only 19% and anticoagulant by only 14%. Seventy-three percent of participants commonly used classic vaporization and only 3% used new techniques (GreenLEP). During procedure, 72% used energy between 120W and 160W. Sixty percent used transrectal ultrasound during surgery (32% throughout the procedure). Only 16% of surgeons made ambulatory procedure and almost 33% never. Surgeons with over 3years of experience (vs.<3years) used the technique regardless of the volume in 67% vs. 23.5% (P=0.002).

CONCLUSION: In France Greenlight use is still heterogeneous for the patient's management. New techniques which are currently developing (GreenLEP, vapo-enucleation) are still marginal. Ambulatory is still insufficiently used and need to be developed. The experienced surgeon led to wider indication for the technique.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.