Safety and efficacy using a low-powered holmium laser for enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP): 12-month results from a prospective low-power HoLEP series

The Impact of Laser Energy on Functional Outcome Following Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of total laser energy applied, as well as enucleation efficiency on short-term functional outcomes for patients treated for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 1593 consecutive patients who underwent HoLEP for LUTS due to benign prostate obstruction in a tertiary care center between January 2018 and January 2021 was performed. Perioperative parameters and short-term functional outcome were evaluated. Spearman's rank correlation and linear regression analysis was applied to identify the relationship between total laser energy applied or enucleation efficiency and functional outcome (P < .05).

RESULTS

Median weight of enucleated tissue was 65g, median tissue retrieval percentage was 72.2% and median surgery speed was 0.8g/min. Median laser energy applied was 48.8 kJ, median enucleation efficiency was 1.4g/kJ. No significant correlation between the total laser energy and postoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), peak urinary flow (Qmax) or postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) was found (P-range: .473-.969). Likewise, no correlation was found between enucleation efficiency and postoperative IPSS, Qmax, and PVR (P-range: .080-.932). Perioperative improvement of functional outcome (delta IPSS, delta Qmax, and delta PVR) did not correlate with total laser energy applied (P-range: .211-.785) or with enucleation efficiency (P-range: .118-.543). Those results were confirmed in linear regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study reveal that functional outcome following HoLEP are not dependant on the amount of laser energy applied or enucleation efficiency. Our results should support the increased use of HoLEP as surgical treatment option for LUTS due to BPH.

Efficacy and safety of low power holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: A prospective short- and medium-term single-blind randomized trial

PURPOSE

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of mid-term follow-up in low-power (LP) Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) compared with high-power (HP) surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled study was conducted between September 2020 and April 2021. Ninety male patients >50 years who underwent HoLEP for BPH were randomly assigned to HP (80 W/2 J/40 Hz) and LP (24 W/2 J/12 Hz) groups. The primary endpoint was the total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) six months after surgery. The secondary endpoints were perioperative results and postoperative outcomes at two weeks, three and six months after the surgery, including Clavien-Dindo complication classification.

RESULTS

At six months after HoLEP, 41 and 42 patients were followed up in the HP and LP groups, respectively. There was no difference in the preoperative characteristics between the two groups. The prostate volumes were 67.1±23.7 mL for the HP group and 64.3±25.7 mL for the LP group (p=0.592), respectively. Although the total operative time was significantly longer by 13.1 minutes in the LP group (47.8±20.3 min vs. 60.9±23.3 min, p=0.006), the total delivered energy was significantly lower, which was only about 68% of the HP group (58.2±23.9 kJ vs. 39.9±13.2 kJ, p<0.001). Surgical outcomes significantly improved postoperatively in both groups compared to baseline, except for storage symptoms. Improvement in IPSS storage subscore was observed from the immediate postoperative 2 weeks in the LP group (8.1±3.1 to 6.9±3.8, p<0.001), whereas there was no significant recovery in the HP group (8.0±3.2 to 7.7±3.4, p=0.842). In the 6-month follow, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the IPSS total score (5.9±5.6 vs. 7.3±5.3, p=0.260) as well as IPSS storage subscore. In addition, there was no significant difference in postoperative complications, including bleeding or urinary incontinence, between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The HoLEP procedure performed using an LP laser device resulted in lower total delivered energy, faster recovery, and significantly improved surgical outcomes up to mid-term follow-up. There was no difference in efficiency or safety between the HP device system.

Low- vs. High-Power Laser for Holmium Laser Enucleation of Prostate

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) constitutes an established technique for treating patients with symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction. Most surgeons perform surgeries using high-power (HP) settings. Nevertheless, HP laser machines are costly, require high-power sockets, and may be linked with increased postoperative dysuria. Low-power (LP) lasers could overcome these drawbacks without compromising postoperative outcomes. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of data regarding LP laser settings during HoLEP, as most endourologists are hesitant to apply them in their clinical practice. We aimed to provide an up-to-date narrative looking at the impact of LP settings in HoLEP and comparing LP with HP HoLEP. According to current evidence, intra- and post-operative outcomes as well as complication rates are independent of the laser power level. LP HoLEP is feasible, safe, and effective and may improve postoperative irritative and storage symptoms.

No bladder irrigation versus continuous bladder irrigation after HoLEP: a propensity score matching analysis

PURPOSE

In this study, the feasibility of a no bladder irrigation strategy after transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was studied.

METHODS

From August 2021 to December 2021, the clinical data of 62 patients who received no bladder irrigation after HoLEP (Group A) were studied. The control group contained the clinical data of 150 patients in the same therapy group (from January 2021 to July 2021) who received continuous bladder irrigation after HoLEP (Group B). The baseline was consistent after using the propensity score matching (PSM) method, and the differences between groups were compared. The pre- and postoperative complications, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and postvoid residual urine (PVR) of the two groups were compared, accompanied by a follow-up evaluation of surgical effects.

RESULTS

47 pairs of patients were successfully matched by PSM. There was no statistically significant difference in the intraoperative conditions and the incidence of early postoperative complications between the two groups (P > 0.05). Before and one month after the surgery, significant differences were also found in the IPSS, QOL, Qmax, and PVR of both groups (P < 0.05). Within one month after the surgery, no statistically significant difference was found in IPSS, QOL, Qmax, PVR, or the incidence of early postoperative complications between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

For appropriately selected patients according to the exclusion criteria, the no bladder irrigation strategy after HoLEP for BPH is safe and effective.

Efficiency and clinical outcomes of Moses technology for holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: An evidence-based analysis

BACKGROUND

To compare the safety and clinical efficacy of Moses laser enucleation of the prostate (MoLEP) with those of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang databases, and SinoMed databases. The retrieval period was from the establishment of the database to March 2022. Stata17.0 was used for calculations and statistical analyses.

RESULTS

This study included 12 articles comprising 1160 patients for meta-analysis. Compared with those of the HoLEP group, the hemostasis time (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -4.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-6.47, -2.84], p < 0.001), enucleation time (WMD = -7.23, 95% CI [-10.67, -3.79], p < 0.001), operative time (WMD = -15.02, 95% CI [-20.50, -9.53], p< 0.001), length of hospital stay (WMD = -15.02, 95% CI [-20.50, -9.53], p< 0.001), intraoperative blood loss (WMD = -11.19, 95% CI [-12.94, -9.44], p< 0.001), and total postoperative complications rate (OR = 0.51, 95% CI [0.32, 0.81], p = 0.004) were shorter in the MoLEP group. Postoperative quality of life (WMD = 0.30, 95% CI [0.00, 0.59], p = 0.047) was lower in the HoLEP group, and there were no statistically significant differences in the International Prostate Symptom Score, postoperative maximum urinary flow rate, and postoperative residual urine (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

MoLEP has more advantages than HoLEP in terms of safety, shorter operation time and hospital stay, and fewer complications. However, this conclusion needs to be verified with a larger sample size, longer follow-up time, and multicenter randomized controlled trial data.

Expression and Significance of D-Dimer and Fibrinogen in Hyperfibrinolysis of Elderly Patients with Bleeding after BPH Operation

Objective

To explore the expression level and diagnostic efficacy of plasma D-dimer (DD) and fibrinogen (FIB) in hyperfibrinolysis of elderly patients with bleeding after benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) surgery.

Methods

70 elderly BPH patients with postoperative hemorrhage and hyperfibrinolysis in our hospital were included into the observation group, and 75 elderly BPH patients with postoperative hemorrhage without hyperfibrinolysis were included into the control group. The serum levels of DD and FIB in the two groups of patients were compared, and the correlation of DD and FIB with clinical features and the diagnostic value of DD and FIB.

Results

Elderly BPH patients with hyperfibrinolysis showed significantly higher levels of DD and FIB than those without hyperfibrinolysis (P < 0.01). The increase in DD and the decrease of FIB were significantly correlated with the prolonged hospital stay and intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring (P < 0.05). The combination of DD and FIB showed high diagnostic value for postoperative hemorrhage with hyperfibrinolysis (AUC = 0.998).

Conclusion

The combination of plasma DD and FIB effectively and accurately diagnoses postoperative hemorrhage with hyperfibrinolysis. High levels of DD and FIB indicate prolonged hospital stay and postoperative ICU monitoring of elderly BPH patients with hyperfibrinolysis.

Does the power of the laser devices matter for a successful HoLEP procedure? A prospective comparative study

BACKGROUND

The objectives of this prospective study were to evaluate the efficiency, safety and applicability of medium-power (MP) holmium laser devices in the endoscopic enucleation of the enlarged prostate (HoLEP) compared with high-power (HP) laser devices.

METHODS

From October 2019 to July 2020, a total of 120 consecutive patients planned for HoLEP were divided randomly into two groups formed in terms of the power of the device used. While patients in group 1 were treated with a MP device (50 W) at 39.6 W (2.2 J/18 Hz), patients in group 2 were treated with HP (100 W) device at 42 W (1.2 J/35 Hz). Preoperative patient characteristics, perioperative measures and 3-month functional outcomes were evaluated in both groups with an emphasis on enucleation efficiency (EE) and haemoglobin decrease in a comparative manner.

RESULTS

All patients underwent successful HoLEP surgery with no severe perioperative and postoperative complications. No statistically significant differences were observed in terms of preoperative patient characteristics and perioperative measures in the two groups. The median EE values in groups 1 and 2 were 1.15 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.33-2.2) and 1.11 (IQR: 0.4-2.8), respectively (P = .775). Haemoglobin decrease values in groups 1 and 2 were 1.3 (IQR: 0.1-4) and 1.4 (IQR: 0.4-3.1), respectively (P = .736). There was no difference in terms of either catheterisation time or hospital stay in the groups. In the model created to predict haemoglobin decrease, only biopsy was detected to be the independent predictive factor among the data from laser device, biopsy and antithrombotic use. Functional outcomes markedly improved in all patients without any statistically significant difference between the groups in the 3-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Our comparative study indicated that HoLEP can be performed safely and effectively with MP laser devices without any technical difficulties and with comparable results achieved in HP laser devices.

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate with Virtual Basket mode: faster and better control on bleeding

BACKGROUND

To compare clinical intra and early postoperative outcomes between conventional Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate using the Virtual Basket tool (VB-HoLEP) to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODS

This prospective randomized study enrolled consecutive patients with BPH, who were assigned to undergo either HoLEP (n = 100), or VB-HoLEP (n = 100). All patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively, with particular attention to catheterization time, operative time, blood loss, irrigation volume and hospital stay. We also evaluated the patients at 3 and 6 months after surgery and assessed maximum flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the Quality of Life score (QOLS).

RESULTS

No significant differences in preoperative parameters between patients in each study arm were found. Compared to HoLEP, VB-HoLEP resulted in less hemoglobin decrease (2.54 vs. 1.12 g/dl, P = 0.03) and reduced operative time (57.33 ± 29.71 vs. 42.99 ± 18.51 min, P = 0.04). HoLEP and VB-HoLEP detrmined similar catheterization time (2.2 vs. 1.9 days, P = 0.45), irrigation volume (33.3 vs. 31.7 l, P = 0.69), and hospital stay (2.8 vs. 2.7 days, P = 0.21). During the 6-month follow-up no significant differences in IPSS, Qmax, PVR, and QOLS were demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS

HoLEP and VB-HoLEP are both efficient and safe procedures for relieving lower urinary tract symptoms. VB-HoLEP was statistically superior to HoLEP in blood loss and operative time. However, procedures did not differ significantly in catheterization time, hospital stay, and irrigation volume. No significant differences were demonstrated in QOLS, IPSS, Qmax and PVR throughout the 6-month follow-up.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN72879639; date of registration: June 25th, 2015. Retrospectively registred.

Evolution of Day-Case Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate Success Rate Over Time

Objectives: To describe the evolution of day-case success rate over the years and to identify predictive factors for prolonged hospitalization or readmissions. Methods: Retrospective review of all consecutive day-case holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) performed by a single surgeon between January 2013 and February 2019 using a prospective database. Day-case success was defined as discharge within less than 12 hours from admission without any readmission within 48 hours after discharge. Protocol for day-case treatment included systematic bladder catheter insertion with continuous irrigation for ∼2 hours and catheter removal on postoperative day 1. Patients were reached by phone on postoperative day 1 to ensure voiding. For the descriptive statistics, an analysis of variance was performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors. Results: A total of 266 patients were retrieved and dispatched as follows: group 1 (n = 88) from January 2013 to July 2015, group 2 (n = 89) from August 2015 to June 2017, and group 3 (n = 89) from July 2017 to February 2019. The overall success rate was 80.5% (214/266) over the study period. It significantly improved over time from 70% in group 1 to 84% in group 2 and 87% in group 3 (p = 0.014). In the meantime, the operating time and the total energy delivered to the tissue decreased from 77 minutes in the first group to 60.4 minutes in the second group and 55.4 minutes in the third group (p < 0.001), and from 95.2 kJ in the first group to 84 kJ in the second group and 77.9 kJ in the third group (p = 0.041). On multivariate analysis, the only risk factor significantly associated with day-case failure was prostate volume greater than 90 cc (odds ratio = 2.041, p = 0.047). Conclusion: Day-case HoLEP is a reliable and safe procedure with a high success rate. The surgeon's experience seems to be crucial to improve perioperative outcomes, but prostate volume greater than 90 cc remains associated with higher failure rates.

Comparison of outcomes of Holmium enucleation of the prostate for small- and moderate-sized prostates

There is an ongoing discussion in the literature on the surgical treatment option for small prostate size benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) surgery in small (<30 ml) and moderate (30-80 ml) prostate size as accepted in European Association of Urology guideline. We retrospectively analysed our database between May 2016 and May 2019 and patients who underwent HoLEP surgery. Patients who have prostate size <80 ml were included the study. These patients were divided into two group: group 1 with prostate size <30 ml (n: 64) and group 2 with prostate size 30-80 ml (n: 101). Enucleation time (ET), morcellation time (MT), total operation time (OT), enucleation efficiency (EE), morcellation efficiency (ME), intra- and post-operative complications were analysed. While EE and Hb drop were better in favour of group 2; PSA drop, ET, MT, OT and ME were superior in favour of group 1. In group 1, intra-operative complications were higher (6 vs. 2; p < .05) and post-operative complications did not differ statistically between groups (p = .14). No statistically significant finding was found between groups regarding incontinence. In conclusion, HoLEP is a reliable method in terms of its results in patients with small prostates.

'Seven-step two-lobe' HoLEP: a modification to gain efficiency of the enucleation applying relatively low-power holmium laser devices

PURPOSE

In order to increase the efficiency of the low-power holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (LP-HoLEP), and introduce it as a standard surgery for BPH, we described a modified 'seven-step two-lobe' HoLEP (ST HoLEP) technique applying 60-W device in a stepwise manner.

METHODS

From July 2016 to August 2019, 120 patients who received LP-HoLEP at our hospital because of urinary tract symptoms caused by BPH were included in the study. The patients were assigned into two groups, 60 consecutive patients received modified ST HoLEP compared with another preexisting 60 consecutive patients who received the conventional three-lobe HoLEP (T HoLEP) before the technical modification. The clinical parameters, including patient characteristics, perioperative data, as well as voiding outcomes, and complications were evaluated after at least 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

The median enucleation efficiency of the ST HoLEP was 0.72 gm/min, which was significantly higher than 0.62 gm/min of the T HoLEP. Despite the preoperative IPSS was slightly higher in T HoLEP group, the other preoperative and perioperative data showed no statistical difference between the two groups. After ST HoLEP procedure, the urinary incontinence rate was continually improved at 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month follow-up which were 13.3%, 6.7%, and 1.7%, respectively. There was no significant difference in postoperative voiding outcomes and urinary continence results in 3-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The ST HoLEP technique was proved to increase the efficiency which was benefit from minimizing the surgical incision, facilitating the single surgical plane identification and maintenance during the whole enucleation procedure.

Mind the Gaps: Adoption and Underutilization of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate in the United States from 2008 to 2014

Purpose: There is increasing recognition of the advantages of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) treatment in the United States but relatively little is known about the extent of HoLEP adoption over time. This study aims to assess national HoLEP adoption rates and regional trends from 2008 to 2014. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a data set of 100% Medicare claims to determine the rate of U.S. HoLEP adoption in 2008, 2011, and 2014. Rates were adjusted by age and race and stratified by hospital referral region (HRR). Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess for trends in HoLEP adoption over time. Results: Total U.S. BPH cases decreased 24% from 2008 to 2014 and HoLEP cases increased significantly from 1086 (2008) to 3368 (2014). Despite this, HoLEP accounted for just 4% of total BPH cases in 2014. In 2008, 28/306 (9%) of HRRs recorded >10 HoLEP cases per year. This increased to 89 HRRs (29%) in 2011 but stabilized at 94 HRRs (31%) in 2014. In 2014, over 50% of states still had only 0 to 1 sites doing 10+ HoLEP cases per year. Conclusions: Based on this 100% sample of Medicare claims from 2008 to 2014, surgical BPH treatment volume has decreased, while HoLEP volume and regional adoption have tripled. However, rates of HoLEP remain extremely low at just 4% of all BPH procedures in 2014, and large regional gaps in care exist. These data indicate that HoLEP remains substantially underutilized and the majority of regions still lack access to centers performing >10 HoLEP cases per year.

Complications of anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) remains the 'gold standard' for surgical treatment of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). Recently, anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (AEEP) using holmium laser, thulium laser and plasma, etc., is extensively applied in clinical practice. However, perioperative complications of AEEP are inevitable in spite of lower incidence compared with TURP. This study reviewed the literature related to the aetiology, prevention and treatment of common complications of AEEP, which would contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of BPO.

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for the treatment of size-independent BPH: A single-center experience of 600 cases

OBJECTIVE

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is an endourologic minimal invasive intervention of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The interest on HoLEP is increasing in the literature. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the learning curve and our preliminary results.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis on 600 patients with BPH who underwent HoLEP between July 2015 and April 2019 was performed. Perioperative measures including enucleation efficiency (EE), morcellation efficiency (ME), and percentage of resected tissue weight (PRW) were recorded. Hospitalization time (HT) and catheterization time (CT) were measured. Functional outcomes, Clavien-Dindo classification complications, and continence status were assessed at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

The mean age, prostate size, and prostate-specific antigen levels of the patients were 64.54 years, 91 g, and 4.54 ng/mL, respectively. There were 38.3% of patients with ≥100 g prostate size. The measured EE, ME, and PRW were 1.12 g/min, 4 g/min, and 72%, respectively. The mean HT and CT were 24.53 h and 21.50 h, respectively. Functional outcomes showed significant improvement at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were comparable with the literature. The most common perioperative complication was superficial bladder mucosal injury (n=8, 1.33%). Only one patient had persistent stress urinary incontinence at 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

As mentioned in the literature, HoLEP indications are independent from prostate size. Our results showed similarity with the literature on functional outcomes, complication rates, and continence status. With its superior results, our HoLEP series from Turkey supports that HoLEP will replace transurethral resection of the prostate as the known current gold standard.

Low-Power Vs High-Power Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: Critical Assessment through Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the non-inferiority of Low-power Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (LP-HoLEP) to high-power (HP-HoLEP) for enucleation efficiency pertaining to the advantages of lower cost and minimal postoperative dysuria, storage symptoms, and negative sexual impact.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

HoLEP was performed using 100W Versapulse, Luminis Inc., with 2J/25Hz for LP-HoLEP (61 patients) and 2J/50Hz for HP-HoLEP (60 patients). Two surgeons with different experience performed equal number of both procedures. Non-inferiority of enucleation efficiency (enucleated weight/min) was evaluated. All perioperative parameters were recorded and compared. Dysuria was assessed at 2 weeks by dysuria visual analog scale, urinary (Q.max and IPSS) and sexual (sexual health inventory for men score) outcome measures were evaluated at 1, 4, and 12 months.

RESULTS

Baseline and perioperative parameters were comparable between the two groups. Mean enucleation efficiency was 1.42±0.6 vs 1.47±0.6 gm/min, P = .6 following LP-HoLEP and HP-HoLEP, respectively. Patients reported postoperative dysuria similarly in both groups as per dysuria visual analog scale. There was significant comparable improvement in IPSS (international prostate symptom score) and Q.max in both groups at different follow-up points. At one year, median IPSS and Q.max were comparable in both groups (P = .4 and .7 following LP-HoLEP and HP-HoLEP, respectively). Median postoperative reduction in prostate specific antigen was 89% (42:99) following LP-HoLEP vs 81% (62:94) after HP-HoLEP, P = .92. Both groups showed comparable perioperative and late postoperative complications. There were no statistically significant changes in the last follow-up sexual health inventory for men score in comparison to baseline score.

CONCLUSION

LP-HoLEP is non-inferior to HP-HoLEP in terms of all efficiency parameters regardless level of surgeon experience.