Laser treatment for enlarged prostates recommended for NHS use

A laser device that could help thousands of men with an enlarged prostate has been recommended for NHS use.

New medical technology guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the use of the GreenLight XPS laser system in patients who are not at high risk of complications from treatment.

This group includes patients who do not have an increased risk of bleeding, whose prostates are smaller than 100 ml and who do not suffer from a urinary retention. An estimated 13,600 men with enlarged prostates could benefit from treatment with this device.

GreenLight XPS uses a laser to vaporise excess prostate tissue, which eases the blocked urethra and leaves a clear channel for urine to flow. It is a much cheaper option than transurethral resection of the prostate, the current standard option.

Professor Carole Longson, director of the NICE Centre for Health Technology Evaluation, said: "Using the GreenLight XPS is more convenient for patients than other surgical procedures, as they don't need to stay in hospital overnight and they can return to normal activity faster."

Currently, there is not enough evidence to support the use of the device in high-risk patients, so the guidance recommends that specialists should collect information on outcomes if they do use the device in these patients.