GreenLight / ThuLEP Laser Vaporisation
High-power laser vaporisation of obstructing prostatic tissue — bloodless, day-case procedure with 12–24 hour catheterisation and rapid return to activities for anticoagulated patients.
What is GreenLight / ThuLEP Laser Vaporisation?
GreenLight Laser Vaporisation uses a high-power 532 nm laser selectively absorbed by haemoglobin to vaporise prostatic tissue with minimal bleeding. Thulium Laser Enucleation (ThuLEP) uses a 2013 nm fibre laser for precise tissue enucleation. Both techniques offer exceptional haemostasis, saline irrigation eliminating TUR syndrome risk, and suitability for high-risk anticoagulated patients. GreenLight allows same-day discharge with catheter removal in 12–24 hours. ThuLEP combines the enucleation completeness of HoLEP with thulium laser precision and produces tissue for histological examination unlike vaporisation alone.
How the Procedure Works
Laser Scope Insertion
Laser cystoscope with right-angle delivery fibre introduced transurethrally; bladder inspected and prostate assessed before vaporisation begins.
Vaporisation Setup
GreenLight fibre positioned 1–2 mm from prostatic tissue; high-power energy (120–180 W) delivered in sweeping movements layer by layer.
Systematic Tissue Removal
Median lobe, lateral lobes, and bladder neck systematically vaporised until white surgical capsule — endpoint of complete adenoma removal — is visible.
Haemostasis Confirmation
Bleeding points addressed using the coagulation setting; surgical capsule inspected circumferentially to confirm completeness.
Catheter & Discharge
Urethral catheter placed for 12–24 hours; for day-case, catheter removed same evening; most patients discharged within 24 hours with alpha-blocker medication.
Outcomes
Who Needs This Treatment?
- →Men on anticoagulation therapy where bloodless laser vaporisation avoids stopping anticoagulant medication.
- →Elderly patients with high cardiac risk who benefit from shorter anaesthetic time and same-day discharge.
- →Those with small-to-medium prostates (30–80 g) where GreenLight achieves complete adenoma vaporisation.
- →Patients with urinary retention from BPH needing definitive treatment with minimal post-operative bleeding risk.
- →Anyone seeking a day-case BPH procedure with catheter removal within 24 hours and rapid return to normal activities.
- →Men with recurrent haematuria from vascular prostatic adenoma where laser achieves immediate haemostasis.
"GreenLight and ThuLEP lasers have given us powerful bloodless options for BPH. For patients on anticoagulation or with significant cardiac risk, these techniques allow safe and effective surgery that would previously have carried unacceptable bleeding risk."
— — Dr. Vipin Reddy, Consultant Urologist, Andrologist & Renal Transplant Surgeon
Common Questions
Frequently Asked
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
Book a consultation with Dr. Vipin Reddy and get a personalised treatment plan.