Beyond The Abstract: Influence Of Prostate Size On The Outcome Of Holmium Laser Enucleation Of The Prostate

Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Urology / Nephrology;  Men's health
Article Date: 17 Feb 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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UroToday.com - High-powered holmium lasers are used for ablation, resection and enucleation of the prostate, as this laser has excellent incisional, ablative and haemostatic properties.

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is a recent step in enabling a true anatomical enucleation of prostatic tissue of any size. HoLEP gives results comparable to TURP and open prostatectomy, with low morbidity and a short hospital stay. In practice, a prostate of any size can be removed by this technique, once it is mastered. For the relief of BOO there is clear evidence that the outcomes are more sustainable for procedures that are truly ablative and thus de-obstructing. TURP and open prostatectomy provide the most durable long-term efficacy because of urodynamically confirmed de-obstruction

HoLEP allows whole lobes of the prostate to be removed, mimicking the action of the index finger in open prostatectomy. The completeness of resection and the safety profile of HoLEP is unparalleled by any other endoscopic technique. The ability of HoLEP to treat every size and configuration of prostate makes it more appealing. Our study confirms the statement made by Elzayat et al that HoLEP is a serious contender for becoming a new size-independent reference standard. For all urologists who manage to master the technique, HoLEP has doubtless made TURP and open prostatectomy an operation of the past. However, in the management of BOO the best results are in the hands of the expert. The challenge is to translate those results to consistent application in the community.

Written by

Hemendra N. Shah MS, DNB, M.Ch, DNB, MNAMS, MCRI, MIMSA, MRCS, as part of Beyond the Abstract on UroToday.com. This initiative offers a method of publishing for the professional urology community. Authors are given an opportunity to expand on the circumstances, limitations etc... of their research by referencing the published abstract.

Link to Full Abstract

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