Laser Vaporization of the Prostate with the 180-W XPS-Greenlight Laser in Patients with Ongoing Platelet Aggregation Inhibition and Oral Anticoagulation

Objective To characterize the safety and efficacy of the 180-W XPS-Greenlight laser in patients on systemic anticoagulation. Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis of 384 patients who underwent photoselective vaporization of the prostate with the 180-W XPS-laser between 2010 and 2013 at two centers in the United States and Switzerland was performed. The primary outcome was the intraoperative and postoperative complication rates for those on anticoagulation undergoing photoselective vaporization of the prostate. The secondary outcome was International Prostate Symptom Scores, postvoid residual, maximum flow rate, and prostate-specific antigen levels. Results Of 384 patients, aspirin, clopidogrel, and warfarin were used in 146 (38%), 34 (8.9%), and 57 (14.8%) patients, respectively. Single-drug, two-drug, and three-drug combinations were used in 142 (35.5%), 37 (9.3%), and 7 (1.7%) of the cases. Median lasing time (39 min vs 36 min; P =.99) and number of fibers used (1.0 vs 1.0; P =.63) were comparable between patients on vs off systemic anticoagulation. Postoperatively, urinary symptoms (International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life) and objective voiding parameters (maximum flow rate, postvoid residual) improved in both groups of patients. During a maximum follow-up of 2 years, patients on vs off systemic anticoagulation did not show any significant differences in the rate of postoperative urinary tract infection (3.8% vs 5.1%; P =.71), retention (5.1% vs 5.9%; P =.71), urethral stricture (1.5% vs none, P =.05), and reoperation (2.2% vs 1.5%; P =.49). The primary limitation is the retrospective nature of the study. Conclusion Photovaporization of the prostate with the 180-W XPS-laser is a safe and effective minimal-invasive treatment option for patients on systemic anticoagulation.