Western suburbs men in need of prostate surgery are being treated closer to home.
Green-light laser surgery – a minimally invasive way of treating enlarged prostate glands – is now being performed at Werribee Mercy Hospital.
The surgery, which requires a general anaesthetic and overnight stay, is used to relieve moderate to severe urinary symptoms caused by enlarged prostates.
Previously, men have had to travel out of the area for green-light laser treatment.
Perioperative services manager Carmela Joyce said 14 patients had been treated with green-light laser surgery at Werribee Mercy since its introduction in June this year.
She said there was scope for more than 100 patients to benefit from green-light surgery each year.
“During the next few years, this number is expected to increase with four urologists able to perform the surgery,” Ms Joyce said.
“This new technology to Werribee, which vaporises excess tissue from the prostate gland with a green laser, poses less risk of bleeding and infection post-surgery, and results in a shorter hospital stay for the patient.
“We still offer traditional surgery, and in some cases it’s still the best option, but it’s great to be able to offer both within the hospital.”
Ms Joyce said the hospital was continuing to expand its services in line with an $87 million redevelopment.
In addition to the green-light surgery, the hospital had also taken on two new orthopaedic surgeons, with knee, hip and shoulder replacements on the cards for the new year.
