Clearance rates of >90% can be achieved for stones up to 20 mm with flexible ureterorenoscopy and holmium laser lithotripsy, but with larger stones, the stone-free rates reduce significantly. Therefore, 20 mm should be regarded as the upper limit of stone size that can be cleared in a single procedure. Stone density and location do not influence outcome.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has remained the procedure of choice for the surgical treatment of bladder outflow obstruction for almost five decades, but holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is now emerging as a challenger as the gold standard procedure. This review summarizes the evidence base for HoLEP, with particular reference to randomized, controlled (level 1) evidence.

No abstract