Mankato Clinic First in Region to Use BPH Technology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: For more information on this media advisory, or to speak with Dr. Goldberg or Dr. James, contact Mankato Clinic Public Relations Director Katie Nerem Roth at 389-8770 or 327-8112.

The latest in medical technology can be found here in Mankato. Up until a few weeks ago, if you were a male with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) (e.g. enlarged prostate) ñ a common condition in all men ñ you could expect a two to five-day hospital stay.

Recently, Mankato Clinic Urologists, Gary Goldberg, M.D. and Michael James, M.D., were the first physicians in the region to perform out-patient prostate surgery with a GreenLight KTP (Potassium-Titanyl-Phosphate) Laser. The purpose of the procedure is to alleviate urinary symptoms related to an enlarged prostate.

The most obvious benefit from this new technology is, not only does the procedure take less than an hour; patients are able to leave just two hours afterwards. As compared to traditional surgery with a scalpel, additional benefits include minimal anesthetic, a virtually bloodless procedure, and a quicker and easier recovery. Patients also no longer have to experience discomfort with surgery preparation that involves flooding the bladder and use of a catheter following the procedure.

How does it work? Non-contact vaporization is delivered by a continuous 532nm KTP green laser beam. Operation of the laser in a continuous stream of light allows efficient removal of prostate tissue layer by layer.

According data collected over the last five years, there have been no serious complications reported with use of the GreenLight Laser, as well as zero re-operations.

Dr. Goldberg is enthusiastic about what this will mean for his patients in the future. ìThis procedure is the best available for men today with BPH. It eliminates the discomfort and invasiveness of previous techniques, and allows people to get back to their lives sooner and with fewer complications. Itís a win-win for both the physician and patient,î says Goldberg.

Katie Nerem Roth
Public Relations Director
Mankato Clinic
(507) 389-8770