Thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP): transurethral anatomical prostatectomy with laser support. Introduction of a novel technique for the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction

Background  

Transurethral removal of prostatic tissue is the treatment choice for benign prostatic enlargement and benign prostatic obstruction. Urodynamic results are directly linked to the amount of removed tissue which, however, is directly associated with intra- and postoperative morbidity. Transurethral laser operations of the prostate offer the advantage of decreased bleeding complications and the possibility to treat patients with bleeding disorders or anticoagulative treatment. The aim of the article is to present a novel technique of complete transurethral removal of the transition zone (enucleation) with the support of the Thulium laser to combine complete anatomical enucleation and maximum urodynamic efficacy with minimal side-effects.     

Initial results of holmium laser enucleation of prostate for benign prostate hypertrophy patients

We have performed holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP) in 14 cases since February 2005. The patient's age ranged from 62 to 84 years old (average: 75). The preoperative results of International Prostate Sympton Score (IPSS), quality of life index, maximum urinary flow rate and residual urine volume were compared with those 3 months after surgery. The mean operation time, the mean estimated prostate volume and the mean enucleated prostate volume were 143 min, 50 cm3 and 35 g, retrospectively. All cases showed improvement in each parameter, and all but one case recovered continence in 3 months after surgery. A periurethral abscess had developed in the patient, suffering from incontinence. We concluded that HoLEP is an effective treatment. The relatively higher incidence of urinary incontinence in HoLEP remains to be resolved in the future.     

Thulium:YAG laser enucleation (VapoEnucleation) of the prostate: safety and durability during intermediate-term follow-up

Purpose  

Thulium:YAG (Tm:YAG) VapoEnucleation has been introduced and relief of obstruction was demonstrated. The aim of this study was to proof durability of the outcomes in patients with an postoperative follow-up >12 month.     

Feasibility and efficacy of Thulium:YAG laser enucleation (VapoEnucleation) of the prostate

Purpose  Thulium:YAG (Tm:YAG) vaporesection has been introduced and efficiency was shown on smaller prostates. Criticism mainly referred to prolonged operation time in larger prostates, which appears to be a potential limitation compared to HoLEP. Aim of the study was to evaluate feasibility and efficiency of Tm:YAG VapoEnucleation in larger prostates. Methods  VapoEnucleation was performed using a 70 W continuous wave-laser. After enucleation tissue was morcellated within the bladder. Prospectively assessed outcomes were improvement in urodynamic parameter and the intra- and postoperative course. Complications were recorded. Results  A total of 88 consecutive patients with prostatic enlargement underwent VapoEnucleation. Prostatic volume was 61.3 ± 24.0 cc (30–160). OR-time was 72 min ± 26.6 (35–144) and laser-time 32.4 ± 10.1 min (16.3–59.3). Applied laser energy was 123.7 ± 40.6 kJ (67.8–240.9). An average of 31.7 ± 18.3 g of tissue was retrieved. Pathology revealed four patients with incidental carcinoma. Foley catheter-time was 2 days and the suprapubic tube, if placed, was removed on the third postoperative day on average. Twelve complications were recorded, including bleeding (3), urinary tract infection (6), second-look procedure, due to insufficient deobstruction (2). Re-catherization after successful initial voiding trial was necessary in one patient. Mean peak flow rate improved from 3.5 ± 4.7 to 19.8 ± 11.6 ml/s and post-voiding residual urine decreased from 121.4 ± 339.9 to 22.4 ± 32.7 ml. Conclusion  The functional outcomes demonstrate efficiency of Tm:YAG VapoEnucleation for patients with larger prostates. From our experience, learning curve in VapoEnucleation is short and complications are minimal. Theoretically, no limitation in prostate size occurs. Long-term follow-up is needed to prove durability.     

Nd:YAG laser ablation of the prostate as a treatment for benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Many techniques have been used to relieve obstructive symptoms associated with benign prostatic hypertrophy. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with an electrocautery loop is the most commonly performed operation to relieve bladder neck and urethral obstruction caused by prostatic adenoma. There is increased interest in alternative therapies to reduce prostatic size for symptom relief in this condition. We describe a technique using the neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser and a 600-microns laser quartz fibre with an attached terminal gold-plated metal alloy reflector to provide reliable deep penetration into prostatic tissue for prostatic adenoma ablation. We report the first use of this technique in three patients with benign prostatic obstruction and one with localised adenocarcinoma of the prostate.     

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: the safety, efficacy, and learning experience in China

PURPOSE: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is a well established procedure for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Here we report our experience of the learning curve, efficacy, and safety of HoLEP. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from 190 consecutive patients who had undergone HoLEP for benign prostatic hyperplasia. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1--patients 1 to 50; group 2--patients 51 to 100; and group 3--patients 101 to 190. This analysis included our initial experience with the technique reflecting our learning curve. All patients were assessed preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. Patient baseline characteristics, perioperative data, and postoperative outcome were compared in the three groups. All complications were noted. RESULTS: HoLEP resulted in a significant improvement in voiding symptoms and urodynamic parameters. The improvements in peak urinary flow rate, post-void residual urine, International Prostate Symptom Score, and quality-of-life index did not change significantly as experience increased. However, the operative time decreased significantly as experience increased. The surgeon became more confident with the HoLEP technique after about 15 cases in those with moderate-sized prostates. The postoperative rates for complications such as bladder mucosal injury, recatheterization and transient urinary incontinence were higher in group 1 than in the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate is a safe and effective treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia, even when performed by inexperienced surgeons. The incidence of complications decreases with increasing experience with the procedure.     

铥激光前列腺切除术治疗良性前列腺增生(附32例报告)

目的 探讨铥激光前列腺切除术（thulium laser resection of prostate,TmLRP）治疗良性前列腺增生症（benign prostate hyperplasia,BPH）的手术方法并评估其安全性和有效性. 方法 应用50 W波长2 μm连续波铥激光对32例BPH行TmLRP.前列腺体积（48.2±21.5）ml,术前IPSS评分（24.4±6.7）分,最大尿流率（7.6±3.4）ml/s. 结果 手术时间（52.8±20.2）min,术中无明显出血,无手术并发症,术前术后血K^＋、Na^＋、Cl-浓度及血红蛋白差异无显著性（P＞0.05）.术后导尿管留置时间平均2.5 d（2～4）d.随访时间5～24个月,平均17个月.术后1个月IPSS评分（6.7±2.4）分,最大尿流率（16.3±6.1）ml/s,与术前（24.4±6.7）分、（7.6±3.4）ml/s相比明显改善（t=8.975、7.325,P＜0.05）. 结论 铥激光前列腺切除术是一项简单有效、微创、并发症少的理想手术方法,其效果同TURP术相当,且安全性高.     

Sexual outcome of patients undergoing thulium laser enucleation of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia

Treatment of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may affect the quality of sexual function and ejaculation. The effect of new surgical procedures, which are currently available to treat BPH, on erection and ejaculation, has been poorly studied. This study aimed to assess the effect of thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) on sexual function and retrograde ejaculation in patients with LUTS secondary to BPH. We performed a prospective study in 110 consecutive patients who had undergone ThuLEP to analyze changes in sexual function and urinary symptoms. To evaluate changes in erection and ejaculation, and the effect of urinary symptoms on the quality of life (QoL), five validated questionnaires were used: the ICIQ-MLUTSsex, MSHQ-EjD, International Index of Erectile Function 5, International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) questionnaire, and QoL index of the intraclass correlation coefficients. Patients also underwent IPSS and flowmetry to assess the outcome of flow. Patients were evaluated before surgery and 3–6 months after ThuLEP, whereas those with previous abdominal surgery were excluded. The patients’ mean age was 67.83 years. Postoperative urinary symptoms improved after surgery. No significant differences in erectile function before and after surgery were observed. As compared with other techniques described in the literature, the percentage of patients with conserved ejaculation increased by 52.7% after ThuLEP. ThuLEP positively affects urinary symptoms and their effect on the QoL of patients as assessed by questionnaire scores. While endoscopic management of BPH (e.g. transurethral resection of the prostate) causes retrograde ejaculation in most patients, those who undergo ThuLEP have conserved ejaculation and erectile function.     

经直肠前列腺穿刺后BPH患者行经尿道前列腺钬激光剜除术的疗效观察

目的:分析经尿道前列腺钬激光剜除术(HoLEP)治疗伴有前列腺穿刺病史的BPH患者的有效性和安全性。方法:回顾性分析2015年11月至2017年5月在江苏大学附属武进医院泌尿外科行HoLEP治疗的102例BPH患者的病史资料,根据有无前列腺穿刺活检病史分为两组,观察组为在行HoLEP手术前有前列腺穿刺活检病史,共42例(PB组);对照组为同一时期行HoLEP手术术前未行前列腺穿刺活检的患者,共60例(NPB组),比较两组患者的基线资料,围手术期相关参数及术后3、6、12个月的随访资料。结果:两组患者在年龄、前列腺体积、术前残余尿量(PVR)、术前最大尿流率(Qmax)、IPSS、生活质量(QOL)评分等方面没有统计学差异。PB组患者术前血PSA水平显著高于NPB组[(10.30±3.62)μg/L vs(2.62±1.75)μg/L,P0.01],手术时间较NPB组延长[(78.00±18.25) min vs(67.93±15.89) min,P0.01],亚组分析显示,手术时间延长主要发生在HoLEP与前列腺穿刺间隔2周内的患者,其与间隔≥2周的患者间手术时间有统计学差异[(91.17±16.51) min vs(68.13±12.45) min,P0.01]。两组患者术后血红蛋白下降值、术后持续膀胱冲洗时间、留置尿管时间以及平均住院时间比较无统计学差异。两组均无经尿道电切综合征、膀胱损伤、直肠损伤、输血等并发症。术后短暂性尿失禁的发生率无明显统计学差异[47.62%vs 45%,P=0.794]。术后随访3、6、12个月,两组患者PVR、Qmax、IPSSP、QOL评分均无统计学差异。结论:HoLEP手术治疗有前列腺穿刺病史的BPH患者安全、有效,前列腺穿刺后2周再行HoLEP可缩短手术时间,提高安全性。     

经尿道前列腺钬激光剜除术与双极等离子剜除术治疗良性前列腺增生的Meta分析

目的:比较经尿道前列腺钬激光剜除术(HoLEP)与经尿道前列腺双极等离子剜除术(PKEP)治疗良性前列腺增生(BPH)的安全性和疗效性。方法:计算机检索PubMed、EMbase、Cochrane of Library、Web of Science、Scopus、ScienceDirector、Wiley Online...     

单平面和双平面钬激光剜除治疗大体积良性前列腺增生的对比分析

目的:对比分析单平面和双平面经尿道钬激光前列腺剜除术(HoLEP)治疗大体积良性前列腺增生(BPH)的临床疗效及安全性。方法:回顾性分析2017年6月至2018年12月江苏大学附属金坛医院泌尿外科67例大体积BPH患者的临床资料,根据HoLEP手术方法分为两组,单平面组30例患者采用精阜旁"5,7"点切开暴露外科包膜层面,双平面组37例患者采用膀胱颈"12"点切开寻找外科包膜层面,比较两组患者围手术期一般资料,记录不良事件及术后随访结果等指标。结果:两组患者在年龄、病程时间、前列腺体积、术前残余尿量(PVR)、术前最大尿流率(Qmax)、国际前列腺症状评分(IPSS)、血清前列腺特异性抗原(PSA)和生活质量评分(QOL)等无统计学差异。双平面组和单平面组的手术时间、剜除组织时间和术中血红蛋白下降分别为(97.65±34.72) min vs(125.46±47.58) min,P<0.01,(60.34±23.45) min vs(97.43±35.51) min,P<0.01,(14.58±12.11) g vs 21.44±11.28g,P<0.01,具有显著性差异。术中不良事件、切除组织体积、膀胱冲洗时间及术后住院时间等资料差异均无统计学意义。术后随访结果表明,两组患者术后短暂性尿失禁的发生率无明显统计学差异,PVR、Qmax、IPSS、QOL均较术前有明显改善,但改善程度两组间无显著差异。结论:HoLEP治疗大体积BPH疗效确切,双平面HoLEP具有视野清晰、手术时间短、出血量少等优点,在前列腺增生组织剥离上更具有优势。