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Advanced Laser Technology Delivers Breathtaking Solution to Enlarged Prostate
 Faith Regional is the first site in the region to perform a new laser treatment for enlarged prostate called GreenLight laser system for Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate (PVP). Enlarged prostate affects over 14 million men each year in the United States.
The PVP procedure using the GreenLight laser system has been proven safe, effective and durable in clinical studies conducted over a five-year period at many of the nations leading medical institutions. Thousands of PVP procedures using the GreenLight laser system have been successfully performed and Faith Regional is now offering this breakthrough treatment to men who suffer urinary problems, such as frequent and painful urination and a weak urine stream resulting from an enlarged prostate.
 “The clinical trial results are stunningly convincing, almost too good to believe,” said Dr. Natvarlal Patel, a Norfolk Urologist, who performs the procedures at Faith Regional. “I pursued training in this procedure so that I could bring this advanced treatment to my patients here in Northeast Nebraska. The Green Light laser system is used to perform this breakthrough outpatient procedure.”
Patients recently treated at Faith Regional have experienced rapid symptom relief, a dramatic improvement in urinary flow and reported no pain or complications associated with the GreenLight laser systems for PVP.
“The Greenlight Laser System is truly a benefit to our patients,” said Robert Wehmeyer, Director of Surgery at Faith Regional Health Services. “It is bloodless, precise and decreases length of stay.”
More than half of all men over the age of 60 develop an enlarged prostate. By age 80, nearly 80% of all men have this condition known as Benign Prosthetic Hyperplasia (BPH). Symptoms include difficulty in urinating, a reduced urine stream, straining to urinate, frequency of urination (especially at night) and urgent need to urinate, and a feeling that the bladder never completely empties.
Up until now, treatment options included medication, a variety of heat treatments or an invasive surgical procedure. These treatments involve a significant amount of compromise in outcomes and side effects. Medical therapy is costly, not covered by insurance and requires daily dosing for life. Thermal therapies can provide some relief, but at first patients endure an 8-12 week period of irritative symptoms.
Additionally, these treatments have a high failure rate and outcomes are not nearly as good as the traditional surgical “Gold Standard” TURP. TURP can provide significant relief but is accompanied by serious side effects such as impotence, incontinence and blood loss, and a 4-6 week recovery period.
Only the GreenLight laser system delivers rapid relief of symptoms and dramatic restoration of urine flow with minimal risk. Patients are commonly released within a couple of hours, many without a catheter, and can return to normal non-strenuous activities within the week.
Last Updated: 10/10/2006
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