Vaporization of Prostatic Tissue to Treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Currie, Dan; Griffo, Elaina; Kim, Jin; Wheeling, Sarah

Vaporization of Prostatic Tissue to Treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Abstract

The prostate is a key component of the male reproductive system. Often, due to age, the prostate becomes enlarged resulting in a condition known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). While pharmacological options are generally the first choice, surgery is sometimes necessary to treat this condition. Laser procedures are ideal because of the decreased risks to the patient, but complications arise when the layer of coagulated tissue created by the laser becomes too thick. An ideal laser wattage and application time must be determined in order to minimize the coagulation layer while achieving an effective level of vaporization. The goal of this simulation was to create a model from which an ideal set of laser parameters for the laser treatment of BPH can be determined. This was achieved using finite-element analysis of the laser heating of a 2-dimensional axisymmetric prostate model using COMSOL Multiphysics software. Using this simulation, the vaporization and coagulation thicknesses in prostatic tissue treated for 5 seconds with a 40W, 80W, or 120W laser, or treated for 1 second with a 60W, 80W or 120W laser were determined. The results indicated that increasing laser wattage and/or application time increases the thickness of vaporized tissue and decreases the thickness of coagulation. Furthermore, the results suggested that the thickness of the coagulation zone converges to a minimum value as wattage and/or application time is increased. This simulation was preliminary; however, this model can ideally be used to determine an ideal laser wattage-application time combination that produces the desired level of vaporization while minimizing tissue coagulation.

Journal / Series

BEE 4530 Projects

Date Issued

2009-05-08T14:08:21Z

Keywords

Prostatic Tissue; Hyperplasia

Types

term paper