TAMC Urology offers
new ‘green light laser’ treatment,
expands services
It may sound like something from a science fiction or superhero movie, but a new, state-of-the-art green light laser treatment at TAMC is setting a new standard of care for urology patients in northern Maine.
“Green light laser is a way of treating benign prostate enlargement that affects a lot of older men,” said Dr. Gary Wikert, who along with Robert Hunt, PA-C and Richard Leidinger, MD, are the current full-time providers in the TAMC Urology practice.
Previously, treatment for the condition was more complicated, requiring anesthesia and an overnight stay. It involved re-sectioning of the transurethral tissue, and there was a greater chance for complications, such as excessive bleeding.
“I use a green light laser which vaporizes tissue, so with the transurethral section, we remove tissue a chip at a time,” said Wikert. “With this, we vaporize the channel, and it creates a bigger channel for the patient to void through.”
Green light laser is not the only new, minimally invasive procedure added in recent months within the TAMC Urology practice. PTNS, or posterior tibial nerve stimulation, is also helping patients recover more quickly and treating a very common condition. The PTNS procedure is for patients experiencing overactive bladder and incontinence that fails to respond to oral medications or in cases where the patient does not tolerate the available medications.
“It’s a series of treatments that last about 20 minutes,” explained Wikert. “A tiny needle is inserted through the skin at the ankle and it stimulates the posterior tibial nerve. It’s a form of sacral nerve stimulation.”
The treatment series is also an outpatient procedure performed at the Urology Services office located in the Millennium Medical Office Building at TAMC’s A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital. It is minimally invasive compared to a more permanent bladder pacemaker device.
Already, Urology Services offers urodynamic studies in the comfort of their office; however, Hunt recently received specialized training in the procedure in an effort to streamline the process for patients needing this service.
“Urodynamic studies test how the bladder functions both in storing urine and emptying,” said Wikert. “It’s a computerized system where we have a tiny catheter that goes in the bladder, and we fill and measure pressures and sensations.”
“Urodynamic studies are diagnostic studies to better understand what the problem is, as opposed to trying pharmaceutical therapy,” Hunt said. “It’s a long way to Bangor, so if we can offer these services locally, then why not? It’s a better service to our patients.”
Over 400 patients visit TAMC Urology Services in a given month. Staff at the practice treat a variety of conditions and illnesses including kidney stones, incontinence, urinary frequency, elevated PSA blood levels, testicular abnormalities, and erectile dysfunction.
The new treatment options will help better serve those patients, who previously would have had to travel nearly three hours for access to similar technology and care.
Patients of all ages and sexes may need urological care at some point in their life, explained Hunt. “There’s no typical patient. They can be any age, any sex.”
