SUBTOTAL CANINE PROSTATECTOMY WITH THE NEODYMIUM - YTTRIUM-ALUMINUM-GARNET LASER

A technique was developed for subtotal prostatectomy in dogs with the neodymium:yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. In six normal dogs, full‐thickness necrosis of the prostate occurred if the central‐lateral region within 5 mm of the urethra was photoablated at 60 watts for 1 second. Moderate to superficial necrosis occurred when the prostate within 5 mm of the urethra was photoablated at 35 watts for 2 seconds or 60 watts for 0.5 second. At necropsy, leakage of the urethra occurred in two dogs at sites treated at 60 watts for 1 second. In a clinical study, complications associated with subtotal prostatectomy with the Nd:YAG laser (n‐6) were compared with complications associated with prostatic drainage (n = 6) in dogs with prostatic disease. Intraoperative death (2/6 dogs) and nocturnal incontinence (4/4 surviving dogs) occurred with subtotal prostatectomy. Uncontrolled prostatic infection (2/6 dogs) occurred with prostatic drainage and resulted in the death of one dog on day 11. Four of five dogs surviving prostatic drainage developed recurrent urinary tract infection. Copyright © 1990, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved