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๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ Taiwan /Health & Science

63-year-old man's prostate, the size of a fist, treated with blue light laser

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A 63-year-old man suffered from severe lower urinary tract symptoms due to a prostate enlarged to five times its normal size.
  • After medication proved ineffective, he underwent a semiconductor blue light laser procedure.
  • The surgery was successful, allowing him to urinate smoothly two days later and offering a new treatment option for men with enlarged prostates, especially those with chronic conditions.

A 63-year-old man in Taiwan, identified as Mr. Chou, experienced significant distress from lower urinary tract symptoms, including frequent urination and a weak urine stream. Despite initial medication, his condition did not improve, impacting his quality of life.

Upon seeking specialized care, examinations revealed his prostate had enlarged to an astonishing 105 grams, approximately five times the normal size for an adult male. This severe enlargement had long obstructed his urinary flow, rendering medication largely ineffective.

Doctors recommended a semiconductor blue light laser procedure, a treatment chosen for its safety profile, particularly for patients with pre-existing conditions like Mr. Chou's hypertension. The procedure utilizes a 450nm blue laser beam inserted via the urethra, requiring no external incisions.

Normal adult male prostates are about 20 grams in size, but this patient's gland exceeded 100 grams, almost larger than a fist.

โ€” Huang Wei-hsuanHuang Wei-hsuan, director of the Minimally Invasive Urology Center at Chang'an Hospital, described the patient's enlarged prostate.

This advanced laser technology offers a key advantage: high absorption by hemoglobin. This allows for precise vaporization of enlarged tissue while simultaneously sealing blood vessels, resulting in a nearly bloodless surgical field. The dual vaporization and enucleation function enabled surgeons to address Mr. Chou's significantly enlarged prostate in a single session, shortening the operation time.

Compared to traditional methods, the blue light laser's shallow heat penetration minimizes thermal damage to surrounding nerves and critical structures. Mr. Chou recovered remarkably well, with his urinary flow and speed significantly improved. He was able to urinate smoothly two days after the surgery, with minimal residual urine detected.

The semiconductor blue light laser is a safe and fast-recovering new option for men with enlarged prostates, especially those with chronic conditions or taking anticoagulants.

โ€” Huang Wei-hsuanHuang Wei-hsuan recommended the blue light laser procedure for specific patient groups.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.