Lumenis Ltd. will feature distinguished speakers from around the globe who will share their insights into the latest advances in technique and research for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) laser treatments in Lumenis’ booth (2601) at this year’s American Urological Association (AUA) annual meeting, May 14-17, 2011 in Washington DC. 

This international panel of physicians will discuss Holmium laser treatments with proven clinical outcomes, such as Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) and Holmium Laser Ablation of the Prostate (HoLAP).  As reported in BJU International, "Current evidence supports the conclusion that HoLEP offers favorable and durable outcomes for any prostate size with low early and late morbidity."¹ These BPH laser treatments offer proven outcomes and low long-term reoperation rates².

"HoLEP has quickly become the platinum standard in India and other parts of the world," stated Dr. Anil Varshney Medical Director & Head of Endourology and Lithotripsy, R.G. Stone Urology & Laparoscopy Hospital, Delhi, "With the improved patient outcomes the VersaPulse holmium laser offers superior laser technology when compared to other laser procedures and traditional treatments like TURP, it is not surprising that there has been an increase in adoption throughout the globe."

VersaPulse holmium treatments have a long history of proven efficacy with vast clinical evidence.  The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom issued a guideline recently adding HoLEP to their list of recommended treatment options for BPH.

"Holep is the most well researched and clinically proven treatment for BPH management. The low incidence of complications and the reported less than 1% reoperation rates, coupled with the preservation of sexual function, truly makes the use of  Lumenis’ Versapulse Holmium platform and Holep the Platinum standard for all sizes of prostate glands," stated Caroline Coyle, Sr. VP and General Manager Surgical. "Holep provides improved clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and overall reduction in cost burden associated with reduced lengths of stay without compromising patient care."²

Topics presented in the booth will include:

• HoLEP vs. PVP: An evidence based comparison. Presented by: Tev Aho, Consultant Urological Surgeon, Addenbrooke’s NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
• HoLEP: Overcoming the Learning Curve, a Practioner's Guide.  Presented by: Dr. Joel Funk, Assistant Professor University of Arizona Health Network Diplomat American Board of Urology, Arizona, USA
• HoLEP: The Platinum Standard. Presented by: Dr. Anil Kumar Varshney Medical Director & Head of Endourology and Lithotripsy, R.G. Stone Urology & Laparoscopy Hospital, Delhi, India
• Safety and Efficacy of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: A Review of the Literature. Presented by: Dr. Richard Naspro , Urology Department, Ospedali Riuniti Bergamo, Italy
• HoLAP: Indications, Evaluation & Technique. Presented by: Dr. Ronald Yap, Director, Male Urologic Health Program Adjunct Professor, Dartmouth Medical School, New Hampshire, USA

To learn more about the clinical trends of BPH laser therapy, urologists are also recommended to attend the course ‘Holmium Laser Applications for the Surgical Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia’ on Sunday, May 15 from 1–3 pm, presented by Dr. Peter Gilling, Course Director,  Associate Professor of Urology Tauranga Hospital Tauranga, New Zealand.  As well as the course ‘BPH Laser Therapy’ on Sunday May 15 from 7-10am, presented by Dr. Mostafa Elhilali, Course Director Stephen Jarislowsky Chair of Urology, McGill University, Canada, and Dr. James Lingeman, Director of Research, Methodist Hospital Institute for Kidney Stone Disease Methodist Urology, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA.

For a complete list of speaker presentations and other Lumenis events, visit Lumenis booth #2061 at the American Urology Association annual meeting or visit http://www.surgical.lumenis.com/aua2011 to pre-register, and be sure to come early as seating is limited. 

About Lumenis
Lumenis, the world's largest medical laser company, is a global developer, manufacturer and distributor of laser and light-based devices for surgical, ophthalmic and aesthetic applications, with more than 800 employees worldwide. Lumenis has 270 registered patents, over 260 FDA clearances, an installed base of over 30,000 systems and a presence in over 100 countries.  Lumenis endeavors to bring the finest state of the art technology products to the market, fulfilling the highest standards of excellence, quality and reliability, delivering premium value and service to its customers.  The name Lumenis is derived from the Latin words meaning "Light of Life" highlighting the light, which is the basis of our technologies, used to enhance life. For more information about Lumenis and its products, please visit: www.lumenis.com.

For further information contact:
Michelle Maydan
Director of Corporate Communications
1-866-569-0597
+972-4-959-9004
e-mail: mmaydan@lumenis.com

Lumenis®, its logo and VersaPulse® P20™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Lumenis Group of Companies.

¹ Critical review of lasers in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).  BJU Int. 2011 Apr;107(7):1030-43. Gravas S, Bachmann A, Reich O, Roehrborn CG, Gilling PJ, De La Rosette J.

² Long-term Results of High-power Holmium Laser Vaporization (Ablation) of the Prostate, Tan A., et al. BJU International 92:707-9, 2003
HoLEP vs. TURP Reoperation Rates and Cost Effectiveness, Gilling PJ presented material at WCE and AUA 2009
Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate; Results at 6 Years, Gilling PJ, Aho, TF, Frampton CM, et al. Eur Urol 2008 Apr:53(4):744-9