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The first medical application of lasers dates back to the mid-60s of the XX century. Since then, laser systems have undergone significant changes. No longer a science fiction, lasers are used in many medical fields as an indispensable tool in the hands of the modern physician. The article outlines advances in laser techniques (from the idea of laser radiation to the modern laser systems used as effective surgical tools). We also present our experience in using laser surgical techniques in treating patients with prostatic hyperplasia.

Aim: To compare electro- and laser enucleation (thulium, holmium) of prostate hyperplasia., Material and Methods: 693 prostate hyperplasia patients were enrolled. 489 patients underwent holmium enucleation (HoLEP), 51 - monopolar enucleation, 153 - thulium enucleation (ThuLEP). Prostate volume was 91.7 (50-250) cm 3 . There were no significant differences in preoperative variables between both groups (I-PSS, QoL, Qmax, residual urine volume) (p>0.05)., Results: Mean time of HoLEP was 97.0±42.2 min, monopolar enucleation - 112.9±36.3 min, ThuLEP duration was significantly less (77.4±36.3 min, p<0.01). An efficacy of all methods was confirmed in 6 months after surgery by significant (p<0.01) improvement of functional parameters (I-PSS, QoL, Qmax, residual urine volume)., Conclusion: High efficiency of thulium and holmium enucleation allows to consider them as 'gold standard' of prostate hyperplasia management. Despite higher incidence of complications an efficacy of monopolar enucleation is comparable to that in laser techniques.