Modern laser treatment LIFE for non-malignant prostate enlargement at doctor’s office Dr. Igde in Berlin
Dr. Hasan Iğde is a specialist in anesthesiology and urology and has been working in his own office for 12 years in the Bergmannstraße Health Center in Berlin. In addition to the LIFE laser treatment for prostate enlargement, he offers a wide range of therapies and examination methods: ultrasound examinations, cancer screening, outpatient surgery and sonography.
What is BPH?
Dr. Hasan Iğde: BPH is the abbreviation for benign prostatic hyperplasia. This is the medical term for non-malignant prostate enlargement. Men can develop their first symptoms from the age of 50. With increasing age, more and more men are affected by prostate enlargement.
How does a man know there's a problem with the prostate?
Dr. Hasan Iğde: The typical symptoms are a frequent urge to urinate and the feeling that the bladder has not been emptied properly even after going to the toilet. It becomes problematic when the nightly toilet visits interrupt sleep so often that those affected are exhausted during the whole day. Even if it takes several minutes until the bladder is emptied, an urologist should definitely be consulted.
How long have you been treating BPH patients (exclusively) with laser technology? Why did you choose this method?
Dr. Hasan Iğde: I have been treating benign prostate hyperplasia for 8 years now with the LIFE laser method from biolitec – exclusively! The laser method has some advantages over the conventional TURP method (here the prostate is removed with an electric loop). On the one hand, there is the optimal absorption of the laser light in the tissue so that no surrounding organs are injured. On the other hand, the special qualities of the laser light fibers accelerate the ablation time and stop bleeding immediately by the laser.
What are the advantages of laser technology compared to conventional treatment?
Dr. Hasan Iğde: As with laser technology, the surgical tool for TURP treatment is introduced minimally invasively via the urethra. Due to the qualities of the LIFE laser method described above, side effects are significantly minimized and surrounding tissue remains intact. I’m able to work with the laser fiber extremely accurately and safely. This usually helps prevent incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
How does laser treatment work?
Dr. Hasan Iğde: The laser treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis. I perform this procedure with a spinal anesthetic or a light general anesthetic. After the anesthetic has been administered, the laser fiber is inserted through the urinary canal through a cystoscope to the narrowed area in the urethra. Thanks to the small camera, which is also inserted, I can see the surgical area perfectly – even while the laser is activated. Usually the removal of the tissue does not take long.
Is laser therapy also suitable for high-risk patients?
Dr. Hasan Iğde: Patients at risk are those who have chronic illnesses and usually have to take blood thinners. Since conventional surgical methods can lead to increased bleeding, these patients can usually only be operated if they stop using the blood thinners for a few days, which is a great risk for some patients. Due to the special qualities of the LIFE-laser, bleeding does not occur at all. This means that patients at risk do not have to stop taking medication and can undergo surgery.
Further information you receive on www.gesundheitszentrum-bergmannstrasse.de (in German language).