Data demonstrate that treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) with GreenLight XPS laser therapy with MoXy fiber, instead of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), results in significantly shorter hospitalization, catheterization, and recovery times for patients, while maintaining equivalent safety and efficacy. The data presented at the American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting.

"This trial provides important new information that may cause many urologists and patients to choose GreenLight laser therapy as an alternative to TURP, which has long been regarded as the standard surgical treatment for BPH," said Professor Alexander Bachmann, MD, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, and principal investigator in the GOLIATH study. "With faster recovery times, less time spent in the hospital and less catheterization time than TURP, GreenLight is a highly effective therapy for the treatment of BPH."

The findings from the prospective, multi-centre, randomized GOLIATH trial, demonstrate the equivalence in safety and effectiveness of the 180W GreenLight XPS system for addressing lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH. Manufactured by American Medical Systems, an Endo Health Solutions Inc. subsidiary, GreenLight XPS is the most widely used BPH laser treatment currently on the market.

"GreenLight laser therapy is the leading minimally invasive laser surgical treatment for BPH world-wide, and offers patients a proven innovative option to TURP," said Camille Farhat, president of AMS. "Left untreated, BPH, and the resulting symptoms, can cause permanent damage to the urinary system. We look forward to helping more men who undergo surgery for BPH recover faster and potentially return to their active lifestyles more quickly."

During the GreenLight procedure, the physician uses a laser to remove excess prostate tissue, creating a larger channel for urine flow to pass through. The innovative, outpatient procedure is suitable for most patients with enlarged prostates, delivers rapid urine flow improvement, and provides immediate and lasting relief of lower urinary tract symptoms. GreenLight is available in 70 countries and has been used to treat more than 700,000 patients worldwide.

The GOLIATH study was designed to compare TURP and PVP (Photo-Selective Vaporization of the Prostate) with the 180W GreenLight XPS system using a variety of symptomatic, functional and safety outcome measures. The study evaluated 269 patients from 29 sites in 11 European countries based on six-month post procedural results. All adverse events were adjudicated and classified by an independent, blinded clinical events committee.

Key trial findings include: equivalency in safety, as evidenced by the number and rate of adverse events, and efficacy, as determined by IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) and Qmax (peak urinary flow rate); superiority of GreenLight XPS in recovery times including shorter catheterization times, shorter hospital stay, and a faster return to a stable health status; significantly lower rate of short-term re-intervention with GreenLight XPS; numerically fewer bleeding and dysuric events with GreenLight XPS than TURP; comparable prostate tissue volume and PSA  (prostate specific antigen) reduction.

BPH is a condition in which an enlarged prostate presses on the urethra, which can obstruct the flow of urine and cause problems such as frequent urination, pain or burning while urinating, and weak urine flow. If left untreated, BPH can lead to such issues as kidney damage, severe urinary tract infections, visible blood in the urine, chronic renal failure.

The GreenLight laser system is intended for incision/excision, vaporization, ablation, haemostasis and coagulation of soft tissue, including photoselective vaporization of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The laser system is contraindicated for patients who: are contraindicated for surgery, contraindicated where appropriate anaesthesia is contraindicated by patient history, have calcified tissue, require haemostasis in >2mm vessels, have uncontrolled bleeding disorders, have prostate cancer, have acute urinary tract infection (UTI) or severe urethral stricture. Possible risks and complications that include, but are not limited to, irritative symptoms (dysuria, urgency, frequency), retrograde ejaculation, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, hematuria - gross, UTI, bladder neck contracture/outlet obstruct, urinary retention, perforation - prostate, urethral stricture.

American Medical Systems (AMS) is a diversified supplier of medical devices and procedures to treat incontinence, erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), pelvic floor prolapse and other pelvic disorders in men and women. AMS continues to develop new therapies to restore bodily functions and to enable people to regain control of their lives.