Green Light photoselective vaporization of the prostate: a safe and effective treatment for elderly high-risk benign prostate hyperplasia patients with gland over 80 ml

Minimally invasive surgical therapies for benign prostatic hyperplasia in the geriatric population: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Geriatric patients, prone to adverse events (AEs) and low compliance with drugs, may benefit from minimally invasive surgical therapies (MISTs) for managing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We evaluated the efficacy, safety, and procedural characteristics of MISTs in geriatric patients with BPH.

METHODS

PubMed/MEDLINE database was systematically searched for relevant articles through October 1, 2023. Eligible studies focused on geriatric patients (≥65 years) with BPH who were treated with MISTs and evaluated follow-up surgical, micturition, and/or sexual outcomes. Studies were included if there was separate reporting for age subgroups ≥65 years, or if the mean age minus standard deviation was ≥65 years, or if the first quartile was ≥65 years.

RESULTS

Out of 292 screened studies, 32 (N = 3972 patients) met inclusion criteria and assessed prostatic artery embolization (PAE), Rezum, GreenLight, holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP), diode laser enucleation of the prostate (DiLEP), and Aquablation. Except for Rezum, all MISTs required a planned overnight stay. While PAE and Rezum could be performed under local anesthesia, the other MISTs needed general or spinal anesthesia. Postoperative catheterization duration was longest for PAE (median 14 days) and Rezum (21 days) and shortest for GreenLight (1.9 days). At 12 months postoperatively, all MISTs exhibited significant percent changes in International Prostate Symptom Score (median -69.9%) and quality of life (median -72.5%). Clavien-Dindo Grade 1 AEs ranged widely, with PAE (5.8%-36.8%), Rezum (0%-62.1%), and GreenLight (0%-67.6%) having the largest range, and HoLEP (0%-9.5%), ThuLEP (2%-6.9%), and DiLEP (5%-17.5%) having the smallest. PAE, Rezum, DiLEP, and Aquablation reported no significant changes in the International Index of Erectile Function.

CONCLUSIONS

Although all the MISTs reviewed in this study effectively treat BPH in geriatric patients, differences in procedural characteristics and safety profiles across MISTs were considerable. Physicians should use shared decision-making processes, considering risks and patient characteristics, when choosing a suitable treatment option for their patients.

Combination of 180-W GreenLight XPS laser and bipolar transurethral resection of prostate for the treatment of large prostates beyond 100 ml: a novel hybrid technique

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the 180-W GreenLight laser (GL) XPS™ plus bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for the treatment of a prostate volume (PV) beyond 100 ml.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2014 to December 2022, 79 patients with PV > 100 ml who underwent GL-XPS plus bipolar TURP were enrolled. The median follow-up time was 13.7 months. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), PV, uroflow study, post-void residual (PVR) volume, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) before and after the operation were recorded. Subgroup analysis was performed to compare the outcomes between the patients with follow-up times of < 36 months and > 36 months.

RESULTS

Statistically significant improvements in all the postoperative parameters were observed in both < 36 months and > 36 months groups. There was no blood transfusion or transurethral resection (TUR) syndrome in this series. Most of all, a second TURP was unnecessary during the follow-up. Only one (1.3%) Clavien-Dindo grade 3b complication was noted.

CONCLUSIONS

The hybrid technique of 180-W XPS™ GreenLight laser plus bipolar TURP can be safely and efficiently performed on patients with a prostate volume of > 100 ml.

Comparison of PKRP and TUVP in the treatment of high-risk BPH and analysis of postoperative influencing factors

Objective

This study aims to compare the efficacy of plasma kinetic loop resection of the prostate (PKRP) and transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TUVP) for the treatment of high-risk benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and analyze the influence of the related factors on the operation of BPH.

Methods

A total of 108 high-risk BPH patients diagnosed in our hospital from March 2018 to September 2021 were selected and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 54 cases in each group. The control group was treated with TUVP, and the observation group was treated with PKRP. The international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL) index, maximum urine flow rate (Qmax), and residual urine volume (RU) were observed before and after treatment. The general information such as age, educational level, residence, and residence status of the patient, as well as clinical information such as surgical method, nocturia frequency, preoperative IPSS score, RU, medical history, and prostate texture, were also recorded. All patients were followed up for 1 month, and complications were recorded.

Results

The IPSS score, QOL score, and RU of patients in the two groups were lower after treatment than those before treatment, and the Qmax was higher than that before treatment (P < 0.05). The IPSS score, QOL score, and RU of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and the Qmax was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the observation group was lower than in the control group (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the patient's age, surgical method, nocturia frequency, preoperative IPSS score, RU, medical history, and prostatic texture all could affect the postoperative condition of patients with BPH (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the patient's age, surgical method, nocturia frequency, preoperative IPSS score, RU, and medical history were the independent influencing factors of the postoperative condition of patients with BPH (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

PKRP in the treatment of high-risk BPH patients can effectively reduce the IPSS score, QOL score, and RU and significantly increase Qmax, with fewer complications and a good prognosis. Patients’ postoperative recovery was related to their age, surgical method, nocturia frequency, preoperative IPSS score, RU, and medical history. Therefore, choosing PKRP to treat high-risk BPH patients can effectively improve the postoperative urethral functional recovery of patients and reduce the occurrence of complications.

Efficacy and Safety of Transurethral Columnar Balloon Dilation of the Prostate for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Multicenter Trial

Objective

To observe the efficacy and safety of transurethral columnar balloon dilation of the prostate (TUCBDP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in a multicenter trial.

Method

This multicenter study included 2050 patients with BPH who underwent TUCBDP from 11 cities of Zhejiang Province, from September 2015 to June 2021. Clinical assessment included recording and measurement of preoperative and postoperative data including prostate volume, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, IPSS score, quality of life (QoL), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine (PVR), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire-Ejaculatory Dysfunction Short Form (MSHQ-EjD-SF). Additionally, the correlation of the indicators was analyzed using linear regression and early postoperative complications were also recorded.

Results

One month after surgery, the patients' IPSS score, QoL, and PVR were significantly decreased, while the Qmax, IIEF-5, and MSHQ-EjD-SF scores were increased considerably, compared with preoperative data. After surgery, the patient's IPSS score, QoL, and Qmax were improved year by year, while PVR gradually decreased. Three months after TUCBDP, IIEF-5 and MSHQ-EjD-SF levels reached the climax. Linear regression analysis showed that the serum PSA level was significantly positively correlated with Qmax at 3 months after TUCBDP, while at 6 months after surgery, it was negatively related to IPSS and QoL. Early postoperative complications appeared in 384 cases during follow-up.

Conclusion

Collectively, TUCBDP may effectively improve the urinary and sexual function of BPH patients, with fewer postoperative complications, and its efficacy is not limited by age and prostate volume. It can be considered a better treatment option for BPH.

Surgical Complications in the Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There are a variety of treatment options for men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) remains the gold standard surgical treatment. The field continues to evolve with the introduction of new energy and laser technologies, increasing adoption of enucleation techniques, in addition to the advent of minimally invasive surgical technologies (MIST) that enable office-based treatments. The choice in surgical management has become very nuanced depending on a variety of patient and anatomic factors. There continues to be high success rates for surgical treatment of BPH; however, the risk profiles vary across the various surgical treatments. We sought to evaluate contemporary series and summarize the experience of complications associated with BPH treatment and management of these complications.

RECENT FINDINGS

A comprehensive literature review was performed, and identified 79 manuscripts, published between 2005 and 2021 characterizing the diagnosis and management of complications following BPH surgery. Commonly cited issues included bleeding, ureteral orifice injury, bladder neck injury, rectal injury, TURP syndrome, bladder neck contractures, urethral stricture disease, refractory OAB symptoms, and complications unique to new modalities of treatment. The practicing urologist has multiple surgical options to choose from in treating patients with symptomatic BPH. The surgical management of BPH is generally well tolerated with high objective success rates that allow for significant improvement in urinary quality of life. It is critical to understand the potential complications associated with these various treatment options, which will enable trainees and practicing urologists to better counsel patients and manage these potential complications.

Changing paradigms: Green laser vaporization for prostates over 80 ml. A comparative study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) and big prostates are common. Photovaporization of the prostate (PVP) with Greenlight™ laser 180 W XPS, is considered a standard therapy for prostates smaller than 80 mL and an alternative for the treatment of bigger ones in selected cases. The aim of this study is to evaluate efficacy, safety and functional outcomes of PVP among patients with prostates over and under 80 mL.

METHODS

A cohort of 840 patients with BPE who underwent PVP with Greenlight™ laser between 2012-2019 in a single center was evaluated. Groups were stratified according to prostate volume, to less and greater than 80 mL(Groups 1 and 2 respectively). The primary outcomes were efficacy (PSA drop, improvement of IPSS and quality of life) and variables regarding safety of the procedure. Peri and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Complications were assessed according to Clavien-Dindo classification. Overall patient satisfaction was evaluated with visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

Preoperative variables showed no statistical difference among groups. Mean follow up was 47 [IQR=26-70]months. Longer operative time and a higher energy use was seen in bigger prostates(p<0.001). Efficacy was similar between groups, with a reduction of ≥4 points in IPSS score in 83.1% and 89.5% in Groups 1 and 2(p=0.053), PSA drop was 1±2.6 and 1.7±4.7 (p=0.32). Group 2 had a higher conversion rate(0.3 vs. 4.9 %, p<0.001) and higher blood transfusion rate(0 vs. 2.4 %, p<0.001). There were no differences in hospital stay, catheterization time, urethral stricture or retreatment rates.

CONCLUSIONS

GreenLight PVP is a safe and effective procedure in prostates ≥80 mL. It shows the same advantages demonstrated for those under that volume, particularly short hospital stay and catheterization time. Surgeons experience is important to avoid complications, such as conversion and transfusion. PVP should be considered a first line alternative for the treatment of bigger prostates.

How I Handle Retreatment of LUTS Following a Failed MIST

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The goal of this paper is to review retreatment management after failed minimally invasive treatment (MIST) of various technologies.

RECENT FINDINGS

A failed MIST can be defined by the return, persistence, or worsening of LUTS, as documented by symptom scores. Persistence, development, or recurrence of comorbidities such as recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), retention, stones, hematuria, and incontinence can also signal a failed MIST. The common etiology for MIST failure is the preoperative consequence of long-term bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) on the bladder function. Close monitoring of therapies with antimuscarinics or beta-agonists can be empirically utilized if post-void bladder residual (PVR) is low. If there is a high PVR, urodynamic studies and cystoscopy can be used to determine overactive bladder (OAB), BOO, or necrosis. Depending on the timing of the observed BOO/OAB, subsequent retreatments involving transurethral debridement, medical and behavioral therapies, or repeat surgical debulking can be employed.

The feasibility and safety of photoselective vaporization for prostate using a 180-W XPS Greenlight laser in day-surgery pattern in China

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of photoselective vaporization for prostate (PVP) with a 180-W XPS Greenlight laser as day surgery in the Chinese population. We retrospectively collected 114 cases undergoing the day surgery PVP and 198 cases undergoing conventional inpatient surgery PVP from April 2017 to March 2020. All patients' data including baseline characteristics, peri-operative data, post-operative outcomes, and complications were recorded and evaluated. The day-surgery procedures were successful in 110 patients. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics in both groups. The catheterization time and hospitalization time were much shorter and economic cost was much lower in the day-surgery group than in the conventional inpatient surgery group. As for the post-operative complications, the incidence rate of the urinary retention is higher in the day-surgery group than in conventional inpatient surgery group. During the follow-up periods, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), and post-void residual urine (PVR) improved significantly in both groups, and no differences were observed between the two groups. Compared to the conventional inpatient surgery, the day-surgery PVP is feasible and safe, which can reduce the hospitalization time and economic cost.

Standardization of 532 nm Laser Terminology for Surgery in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The use of GreenLight™ laser technology to remove the prostatic transitional zone transurethrally has grown considerably in recent years. This increased utilization has resulted in an increase in the number of terms that are used to describe various laser techniques. Variable terminology complicates literature analysis and publication, which can cause confusion when performing reviews and comparisons of the techniques in the available literature. It has therefore become necessary to simplify and standardize terminology used to describe transurethral prostate debulking procedures using the 532 nm laser to simplify communication on these techniques. Materials and Methods: We conducted a search on September 17, 2019, in the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE^®, Ovid EMBASE, and PubMed. Results: Of the 1115 unique records found in our database search, a total of 27 articles were selected for inclusion. Of the 16 search terms used, we found that 4 terms could be used to describe the fundamental technique associated with each search term. These terms include "vaporization," "vaporesection," "vapoenucleation," and "enucleation." Conclusions: Standardizing terminology leads to an efficient consolidation of terms based on the above outcomes. This will streamline the literature search process for future publications and facilitate comparison of varying techniques.

Functional outcomes and safety of GreenLight photovaporization of the prostate in the high-risk patient with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement

AIMS

Photovaporization of the prostate (PVP) with GreenLight Laser is a surgical treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms. It is considered safe in elderly patients with comorbidities, however, the evidence is inconclusive. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety outcomes of PVP according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASAPS).

METHODS

A cohort of 675 patients who underwent PVP between 2012 and 2018 was evaluated. Patients were classified according to their ASAPS as low (I and II) and high risk (III and IV). Surgical characteristics and improvement of symptoms and Quality of Life (QoL) were evaluated.

RESULTS

The median age of high-risk group was higher than low-risk group. The high-risk group had more history of anticoagulation, antiaggregation, urinary catheterization, urinary retention and urethral stricture. Longer times of hospitalization (23.7 [interquartile range {IQR} = 18.9-41.35] vs 21.8 hours [IQR = 18.7-26.6], P = .008) and catheterization (19.55 [IQR = 15.6-35.57] vs 17.67 hours [IQR = 14.76-22.5], P = .004) were found in the high-risk group. Conversion and bleeding control were not different between groups. In the follow-up, improvement of International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) and QoL was significant in all patients when compared before and after surgery scores (P < .001). There were no difference between groups for QoL, however, IPSS was lower for the low-risk group (8 [IQR = 4-14.5] vs 5 [2-12], P = .001).

CONCLUSION

PVP with GreenLight Laser is a safe and efficient procedure for all patients despite their comorbidities, with comparable middle-term outcomes which makes it a standard treatment for the entire aging population, improving their QoL.