Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: a 3-year single-center experience of 173 cases

Abstract

Background Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (Holep) is a safe, effective, and prostate size-independent procedure for benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment (BPH). Holep has demonstrated comparable long-term outcomes with historical BPH mainstay treatments, namely open prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate, as well as straightforward evidence of its low morbidity. In this study, we aimed to report our 3-year Holep experience based on 173 patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective descriptive single center study utilizing medical charts of 173 patients who underwent Holep between 2017 and 2020. Peri and postoperative measures included prostate volume, peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), prostate specific antigen, catheterization time, hospital stay, and complications. Results The mean age and mean prostate weight at baseline were 71.3 ± 7.8 years and 64.2 g (17 and 380 g), respectively. Holep was associated with a short catheterization time and hospital stay (2.7 and 3 days, respectively). Qmax significantly improved after Holep (8.1 vs 20.4 ml/s, p < 0.05), and results sustained at 06 months postoperatively. Perioperative and postoperative complications were mainly represented by hematuria (29%). However, more than half of these patients were taking anticoagulation drug therapy at the time of surgery. Complications mostly occurred during the early years following Holep’s introduction and tended to decrease with time and experience. Conclusion Holep remains a safe and effective procedure for BPH treatment, with durable long-term results even in clinical settings where the procedure is new. The rate of complications, which is associated with the learning curve, improves with time and experience.