Thunder Bay first to use new type of laser treatment

THUNDER BAY, Ont. – In June, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) became the first in Canada to perform holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) using MOSES 2.0, the latest innovation in urological laser technology. MOSES 2.0 is a holmium laser system that can be used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and kidney stones. It’s another incredible milestone reached for Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC)’s urology program.

“We are continually growing our urology program to provide our community with leading edge treatments,” said Dr. Hazem Elmansy, urologist at TBRHSC. “With advanced energy delivery to the tissue, this latest MOSES technology will improve the care experience for patients being treated for BPH or kidney stones by reducing surgery time and anesthesia use.”

In the case of large prostate procedures, the benefits of MOSES 2.0 are a significant reduction in bleeding, anesthesia use, and length of surgery. For treatment of kidney stones, this technology fragments stones faster and more efficiently. There is also a decreased likelihood of ureteral stone migration complications.

Since acquiring the initial version of the MOSES technology in 2020, more than 400 patients have been treated at TBRHSC with enlarged prostates or kidney stones. Patients are successfully discharged on the same operative day, without a catheter or requiring re-treatment.

“With the expanding clinically proven benefits of MOSES 2.0, the improved efficiency and less anesthesia time also means we will be able to treat more patients waiting for these procedures,” explains Dr. Elmansy. “Our population in Northwestern Ontario deserve the best care, and we are committed to providing it.”

For more information about HoLEP, as well as services and surgeries offered at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, visit tbrhsc.net.