Bladder Stone

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corky - 30 Mar 2006 03:06 GMT

Hi: I just had a huge (2cm) bladder stone removed last Wednesday. The
doctor used a cystoscope with a device to break it up. The urologist
said the stone formed because the median lobe of the prostate was
enlarged, and cystals formed in the retained urine. A recent check
though showed very little retention.

What procedure is on the recommended list to correct this problem?
Thanks, Corky

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Rich256 - 30 Mar 2006 04:32 GMT

> Hi: I just had a huge (2cm) bladder stone removed last Wednesday. The
> doctor used a cystoscope with a device to break it up. The urologist
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> What procedure is on the recommended list to correct this problem?
> Thanks, Corky

To correct the enlarged Prostate?

PVP (Green Light Laser) is the most discussed one here. Some report
almost miraculous results. On the other hand there are some that
continue to have problems but it seems to be a vast improvement over TURP.

I had TUMT a year ago. Seemed to help at first but now back to where I
started. I am going to try Uroxatral for a little while but really plan
to do the PVP before long.

You need to check around to find doctors that perform the procedure.
Ask here or check the Laserscope site:

http://www.laserscope.com

Their list does not seem to be complete. From what I see it depends on
what hospital they use. If the hospital has the green light laser they
use it. Otherwise they still do the TURP.

Recommendations is to try to find a doctor who has performed at least 100.

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Temujin - 30 Mar 2006 15:31 GMT

I agree that the Laserscope site's list is incomplete. Check before
you make an appointment, because whatever machine the urologist has
spent his $100,000 on (TUMT, TUNA, etc.) is what he's going to
recommend. TURP is still universally referred to as the "gold
standard", yet nobody seems to be getting them. PVP with a doc who has
done lots of them is the way to go. And be wary of docs who want to
"preserve the bladder neck." You may avoid retro, but you probably
won't get much pee relief.

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Rich256 - 30 Mar 2006 16:55 GMT

> I agree that the Laserscope site's list is incomplete. Check before
> you make an appointment, because whatever machine the urologist has
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> "preserve the bladder neck." You may avoid retro, but you probably
> won't get much pee relief.

I just noticed that to be included on the Laserscope referral list the
doctor has to submit a request.

When I went with the TUMT I recognized that it was to the Doctors
financial advantage. Although they say their success rate is 80%, I
have heard it is more like 50%.

The difference is that even though the doctor does PVP, his group owns
the TUMT machine and it is done in his office. The PVP is owned by a
hospital who has to be paid as well as an Anesthesiologist.

Although TUMT has to be the most painful for the patient it may be worth
trying if the patient has trouble with anesthesia. That is perhaps the
most dangerous part of the PVP procedure.

I would not recommend trying TUMT. If it works, great. If not you can
always do PVP later on. Problem is that you probably lose a year of
relief (and the pain!!).

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