Photovaporization of the Prostate (PVP)

Photovaporization of the prostate (PVP) is a minimally invasive laser therapy used to reduce the bladder outflow obstruction suffered by men with an enlarged prostate. Your surgeon will insert a laser probe into the urethra and vaporize overgrown tissue. The laser effectively cauterizes the tissue (stops the tissue from bleeding), so no bladder irrigation is required.

Photovaporization laser therapy can be performed on men of any age with urinary outflow obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate. It is particularly indicated in men with large prostates (over 50ml in size), and in men taking medications to thin the blood, such as warfarin, aspirin or clopidogrel to reduce risk of heart attack or stroke.

• There is often less bleeding than after other surgical therapy options
• Hospital stay is one night or less
• The change of recurrence (tissue regrowth) requiring further surgery is very low
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level generally drops to very low levels after photovaporation of the prostate

Risk is inherent in all surgeries, including photovaporization of the prostate. Potential risk may include irritation, bleeding, retrograde ejaculation and urinary tract infection. Talk to your provider about your individual risk, so that you can weight risk versus benefit, and make a decision right for you.

Recuperation is minimal after photovaporization of the prostate. Patients are advised to ‘take it easy’ and to avoid straining or any heavy lifting for approximately 10 days or so following surgery.

Photovaporization laser therapy for BPH is performed by board-certified urologists in several of our Virginia Mason Franciscan Health hospitals.