The Impact of Increased Bladder Blood Flow on Storage Symptoms after Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate

The effect of bladder function on the efficacy of transurethral prostatectomy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a retrospective, single-center study

We investigated the impact and predictive value of bladder function in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on the efficacy of transurethral prostatectomy. Symptomatic, imaging, and urodynamic data of patients who underwent transurethral prostatectomy at West China Hospital of Sichuan University (Chengdu, China) from July 2019 to December 2021 were collected. Follow-up data included the quality of life (QoL), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and IPSS storage and voiding (IPSS-s and IPSS-v). Moreover, urinary creatinine (Cr), nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and prostaglandin estradiol (PGE2) were measured in 30 patients with BPH and 30 healthy participants. Perioperative indicators were determined by subgroup analyses and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Among the 313 patients with BPH included, patients with severe micturition problems had more improvements but higher micturition grades postoperatively than those with moderate symptoms. Similarly, good bladder sensation, compliance, and detrusor contractility (DC) were predictors of low postoperative IPSS and QoL. The urinary concentrations of BDNF/Cr, NGF/Cr, and PGE2/Cr in patients were significantly higher than those in healthy participants (all P < 0.001). After evaluation, only DC was significantly related to both urinary indicators and postoperative recovery of patients. Patients with good DC, as predicted by urinary indicators, had lower IPSS and IPSS-v than those with reduced DC at the 1 st month postoperatively (both P < 0.05). In summary, patients with impaired bladder function had poor recovery. The combined levels of urinary BDNF/Cr, NGF/Cr, and PGE2/Cr in patients with BPH may be valid predictors of preoperative bladder function and postoperative recovery.

Differential Post-Translational Modifications of Proteins in Bladder Ischemia

Clinical and basic research suggests that bladder ischemia may be an independent variable in the development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). We have reported that ischemic changes in the bladder involve differential expression and post-translational modifications (PTMs) of the protein's functional domains. In the present study, we performed in-depth analysis of a previously reported proteomic dataset to further characterize proteins PTMs in bladder ischemia. Our proteomic analysis of proteins in bladder ischemia detected differential formation of non-coded amino acids (ncAAs) that might have resulted from PTMs. In-depth analysis revealed that three groups of proteins in the bladder proteome, including contractile proteins and their associated proteins, stress response proteins, and cell signaling-related proteins, are conspicuously impacted by ischemia. Differential PTMs of proteins by ischemia seemed to affect important signaling pathways in the bladder and provoke critical changes in the post-translational structural integrity of the stress response, contractile, and cell signaling-related proteins. Our data suggest that differential PTMs of proteins may play a role in the development of cellular stress, sensitization of smooth muscle cells to contractile stimuli, and deferential cell signaling in bladder ischemia. These observations may provide the foundation for future research to validate and define clinical translation of the modified biomarkers for precise diagnosis of bladder dysfunction and the development of new therapeutic targets against LUTS.

Age-specific effect of transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate on overactive bladder in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: An investigation using an overactive bladder symptom score

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the age-specific effect of transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) on overactive bladder (OAB).

METHODS

A total of 186 consecutive patients who underwent HoLEP were included. They were divided into three groups: patients aged less than 65 years, between 65 and 74, and 75 or older. The OAB symptom score as well as other relevant variables of lower urinary tract symptoms and function were assessed before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Age-specific prevalence of OAB, the proportion of resolution of OAB, and de novo OAB were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 70.7 years, and the mean total prostate volume was 75.8 ml. The mean OAB symptom scores before surgery of patients aged less than 65 years, between 65 and 74, and 75 or older were 6.0, 5.2, and 5.7, respectively. At 12 months after surgery, the scores for the respective groups had significantly decreased to 2.1, 2.5, and 3.5. The prevalence of OAB based on the score in the respective groups was 45.8%, 56.9%, and 54.0% (p = .6391) preoperatively and 9.1%, 11.3%, and 15.8% at 12 months after the surgery (p = .7613). Of those with preoperative OAB, 75.0%, 79.2%, and 75.0% of the respective groups showed resolution of OAB at 12 months postoperatively (p = .9427).

CONCLUSIONS

In candidates for surgical deobstruction of benign prostatic hyperplasia, HoLEP has potential to improve OAB symptoms regardless of age.

Better timing for HoLEP: a retrospective analysis of patients treated with HoLEP over a 10-year period with a 1-year follow-up

The aim of this study was to explore the optimal timing of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in patients presenting benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). A retrospective analysis was conducted based on the perioperative and postoperative outcome data of 1212 patients who underwent HoLEP in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital (Shanghai, China) between January 2009 and December 2018. According to the preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), all patients whom we analyzed were divided into Group A (IPSS of 8-18) and Group B (IPSS of 19-35). Peri- and postoperative outcome data were obtained during the 1-year follow-up. IPSS changes were the main postoperative outcomes. The postoperative IPSS, quality of life, peak urinary flow rate, postvoid residual, and overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) improved significantly. The IPSS improved further in the group with severe LUTS symptoms, but the postoperative IPSS was still higher than that in the moderate LUTS group. OABSSs showing moderate and severe cases after follow-up were more frequent in Group B (9.1%) than in Group A (5.2%) (P < 0.05). There were no significant intergroup differences in the intraoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists or hospitalization expense scores, and the medication costs, as well as the total costs, were significantly higher in Group B. In this retrospective study, HoLEP was an effective treatment for symptomatic BPH. For patients with LUTS, earlier surgery in patients with moderate severity may result in a marginally better 12-month IPSS than that in men with severe symptoms.

Molecular Regulation of Concomitant Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Erectile Dysfunction in Pelvic Ischemia

Aging correlates with greater incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) in the male population where the pathophysiological link remains elusive. The incidence of LUTS and ED correlates with the prevalence of vascular risk factors, implying potential role of arterial disorders in concomitant development of the two conditions. Human studies have revealed lower bladder and prostate blood flow in patients with LUTS suggesting that the severity of LUTS and ED correlates with the severity of vascular disorders. A close link between increased prostatic vascular resistance and greater incidence of LUTS and ED has been documented. Experimental models of atherosclerosis-induced chronic pelvic ischemia (CPI) showed increased contractile reactivity of prostatic and bladder tissues, impairment of penile erectile tissue relaxation, and simultaneous development of detrusor overactivity and ED. In the bladder, short-term ischemia caused overactive contractions while prolonged ischemia provoked degenerative responses and led to underactivity. CPI compromised structural integrity of the bladder, prostatic, and penile erectile tissues. Downstream molecular mechanisms appear to involve cellular stress and survival signaling, receptor modifications, upregulation of cytokines, and impairment of the nitric oxide pathway in cavernosal tissue. These observations may suggest pelvic ischemia as an important contributing factor in LUTS-associated ED. The aim of this narrative review is to discuss the current evidence on CPI as a possible etiologic mechanism underlying LUTS-associated ED.

Is Holmium Laser Enucleation of Prostate equally effective in management of benign prostatic hyperplasia patients with either voiding or storage lower urinary tract symptoms? A comparative study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and compare the effectiveness and safety of holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP) in relieving either voiding or storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The charts of patients with BPH who underwent HoLEP for either predominant voiding or predominant storage LUTS at University of Cincinnati hospitals in the period between February 2015 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed for changes in voiding symptomatology, storage symptomatology, hematuria, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), peak flow rates (Qmax), presence of detrusor overactivity (DO), and post-voiding residual urine (PVR) from baseline to up to 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

A total of 132 patients were included in the analysis. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 included BPH patients with predominant voiding LUTS (68 Patients) while group 2 involved those with predominant storage LUTS (64 Patients). HoLEP was equally effective in management of both groups with significant improvement in urodynamics study (UDS) parameters, patient voiding and storage symptomatology, and IPSS from preoperatively to up to 6 months postoperatively with relatively low procedure complication rate and postoperative need for medication or procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

HoLEP is a safe, effective, and reliable minimally invasive surgical modality that can be relied on for BPH patients with either predominant voiding or predominant storage symptoms with relatively low procedure complicat.

A call for HoLEP: en-bloc vs. two-lobe vs. three-lobe

PURPOSE

Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) is widely accepted as standard laser enucleation technique for patients with benign prostate obstruction (BPO). Initially developed as a three-lobe enucleation technique, several modifications have been published. Comparison of the enucleation techniques is lacking. Therefor we aimed to compare outcomes of three enucleation techniques (en-bloc vs. two-lobe vs. three-lobe).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We prospectively collected data of 600 patients treated between 01/2017 and 12/2017 with HoLEP for BPO. Patients were randomised to either enbloc, two-lobe, or three-lobe enucleation, respectively. Data collection consisted of parameters on operation time, perioperative parameters, and functional outcomes. Univariate and multivariate analyses (ANOVA-test for continuous variables; Chi2-test for categorical variables) were performed regarding differences between the three enucleation techniques.

RESULTS

Patient characteristics were not significantly different (all p > 0.05). Significant differences were observed with respect to overall operation time (en-bloc vs. two-lobe vs. three-lobe: 40.5 vs. 40.7 vs. 47.9, respectively; p < 0.001), speed (g/min.) (en-bloc vs. two-lobe vs. three-lobe, 1.82 vs. 1.76 vs. 1.67, respectively; p 0.006), and enucleation time (en-bloc vs. two-lobe vs. three-lobe: 31.7 vs. 32 vs. 37.7, respectively; p < 0.001). When solely comparing en-bloc vs. two-lobe enucleation, differences in terms of enucleation time, operation time, and speed were not significantly different (p 0.8, 0.9, and 0.2, respectively). Postoperative outcomes were not significantly different.

CONCLUSION

All three HoLEP enucleation techniques show similar postoperative outcomes. However, enbloc and two-lobe enucleation are significantly faster with respect to enucleation, overall operation time, and speed compared to the three-lobe technique.

How to optimise urinary continence in anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate?

The traditional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is considered as gold-standard surgical treatment to relieve symptoms resulting from bladder outlet obstruction by prostate enlargement. However, with the advances of novel laser technologies and more experienced surgeon conquering the steep learning curve, anatomical endoscopic enucleation of prostate (AEEP) has become a more popular alternative surgical technique. Although AEEP has compatible functional outcome, less blood loss, shorter catheterisation duration and hospital stay, the risk of post-operative urinary incontinence (UI) is often an issue of concern. In this review, we focus on discussion about risk factors related to increased incidence of UI, some surgical tips to avoid damaging external urinary sphincter and treatment strategies to facilitate recovery of urinary continence after surgery.

Efficacy of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate in Patients with a Small Prostate (≤30 mL)

Purpose

We investigated the effects of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in patients with a small prostate (≤30 mL) in whom medical treatment was ineffective.

Materials and Methods

Data from 132 patients who underwent HoLEP by a single surgeon between 2012 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received benign prostatic hyperplasia medication for at least 6 months before surgery. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to prostate size: group 1, ≤30 mL (n=30); and group 2, >30 mL (n=102). Clinical characteristics and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), including quality of life (QoL), peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), and postvoid residual urine (PVR), before surgery and 3 months postoperatively, were compared between the 2 groups.

Results

In group 1, the IPSS, QoL, and PVR significantly decreased and the Qmax significantly increased 3 months after surgery. The voiding subscore also significantly decreased 3 months after surgery (p<0.001), but the storage subscore was not significantly different (p=0.055). In group 2, hemoglobin, the IPSS, QoL, and PVR significantly decreased and the Qmax significantly increased 3 months after surgery. In these patients, both the storage subscore and voiding subscore significantly decreased after surgery (both p<0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups in hemoglobin, IPSS, QoL, Qmax, and PVR either before or 3 months after surgery.

Conclusions

When other medical treatments are ineffective, HoLEP is an effective intervention for patients with a small prostate.

One-year Surgical Outcomes of Complete or Incomplete Enucleation of Prostate by Monopolar Electrocoagulation, Photoselective Vapoenucleation of 120-W GreenLight Laser, and Holmium Laser

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate surgical outcomes of patients who underwent complete or incomplete enucleation technique during a short-term postoperative period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients having intractable lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostates >30 g with obstructed pattern in the urodynamic examinations were included. They underwent transurethral resection of prostate (TUR-P), 120 W GreenLight laser high power system-photoselective vapoenucleation of prostate (HPS-PVEP), or holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP). Patients with the size of remnant prostates minus surgical defects <25 g were grouped into the completely enucleated group (group C), and others were grouped into the partially enucleated group (group P).

RESULTS

Mean prostate-specific antigen value was 3.5 ± 4.5 ng/mL, and mean prostate volume was 58.4 ± 31.0 mL. Complete enucleation rates in TUR-P, HPS-PVEP, and HoLEP groups were 39% (37 out of 95), 54.6% (83 out of 152), and 54.4% (31 out of 57), respectively. Complete enucleation rate of the TUR-P was significantly lower than those of the other 2 groups. Compared with group C, group P had lower maximal flow rate, higher bladder outlet obstruction index, and higher overactive bladder symptom scores. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that smaller prostate, presence of intravesical prostatic protrusion, HoLEP operation, and surgeons' experience were significant predictors for achieving complete enucleation of prostate. Voiding subscores of group C were significantly higher than those of group P at postoperative 12 months.

CONCLUSION

The performance of HoLEP was superior to other surgical techniques. However, HPS-PVEP with vapoenucleation showed the comparable enucleation rate with that of HoLEP. Complete enucleation was effective in maintaining outcomes of prostate resection, especially voiding subscores.

Predictors of Improvement in Storage Symptoms at Three Years After 120W GreenLight High Performance System Laser Treatment for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to investigate the indicators of recovery in storage symptoms after GreenLight High Performance System photoselective vaporization of the prostate (HPS-PVP) in men with benign prostate hyperplasia.

METHODS

A total of 155 men with a baseline subtotal storage symptom score of international prostate symptom score (sIPSS) greater than or equal to six, who underwent HPS-PVP and were followed up on for as much as 3 years, were included in this retrospective study. Surgical outcomes were evaluated at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after surgery. Improvement of storage symptoms was defined as a reduction greater than or equal to 30% of sIPSS after surgery compared to the baseline.

RESULTS

The mean age was 67.5 ± 7.8 years and the preoperative median prostate-specific antigen, mean total prostate volume, and sIPSS were 1.95 (0.97-5.27) ng/mL, 52.1 ± 32.5 mL, and 9.6 ± 2.6, respectively. The mean improvement rate of sIPSS after 3 years was 34.4%. Age was only associated with an improvement of sIPSS in the multivariate analysis (odds ratio = 0.889, p = 0.008). The mean improvement rates of sIPSS according to age group (<65 vs ≥65) were 44.7% and 26.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Age can serve as an independent predictor of storage symptom improvement for as much as 3 years. Therefore, we suggest that older patients who are being considered candidates for surgical treatment should be further evaluated.

Does Surgeon Experience Affect Operative Time, Adverse Events and Continence Outcomes in Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate? A Review of More Than 1,000 Cases

PURPOSE

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate has become an increasingly common surgical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, the relationship between surgeon experience and surgical outcomes has not yet been fully investigated. In this study we investigated how surgeon experience with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate affected operative time, adverse events and outcomes related to urination.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We gathered a total of 1,113 cases of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate from 5 hospitals in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Included were data on surgeon experience with the procedure, operative time, enucleation time, morcellation time, patient age, perioperative and postoperative surgery related complications, and outcomes related to urination.

RESULTS

A total of 39 surgeons were included in analysis. Statistical data showed that increasing surgical experience significantly contributed only to surgical time, enucleation time and urinary incontinence after holmium laser enucleation (p = 0.0146, 0.0216 and 0.0405, respectively). No significant changes were seen postoperatively in surgery related factors such as morcellation time, resected prostate volume, infectious or noninfectious surgery related complications, or urination related outcomes (p >0.05) Experience with at least 20 cases in particular affected surgical time (p = 0.0050), enucleation time (p = 0.0068) and urinary incontinence after holmium laser enucleation (p = 0.0021).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeon experience contributed to shortened operative time and enucleation time, and to decreased postoperative urinary incontinence but not to surgery related complications or urination related outcomes as shown by maximum urine flow and post-void residual urine volume. We also found that experienced surgeons with 31 to 50 cases might be associated with complications after holmium laser enucleation in larger prostate cases. Based on these data further prospective studies are scheduled to establish a program for training in holmium laser enucleation of the prostate.

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate followed by high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment for patients with huge prostate adenoma and localized prostate cancer: 5-Year follow-up

Background

To evaluate the efficacy of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) followed by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for patients with huge prostate adenoma and localized prostate cancer (CaP) and compare the morbidity and efficacy results with those observed in a similar population treated only with HIFU for a follow-up period of up to 5 years.

Methods

The present retrospective study included 30 CaP patients who underwent HIFU alone and 10 patients who underwent HoLEP followed by HIFU. Selection criteria for this study were no previous treatment for CaP, aged 60 years or older, cT1c-T2N0M0, prostate volume of 30 mL or more, and a follow-up period of 5 years or more. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) biochemical recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates and functional outcomes including complications and uroflowmetry after HIFU were compared between the HIFU monotherapy and HoLEP + HIFU groups.

Results

The enrolled patients had a mean age of 70.3 years and 68.8 years in the HIFU monotherapy and HoLEP + HIFU groups, respectively. The 5-year PSA biochemical RFS rates of the two groups were similar (HIFU monotherapy group: 57.2%; HoLEP + HIFU group: 67.5%). The duration of indwelling urethral catheter after HIFU significantly decreased in the HoLEP + HIFU group compared with the HIFU monotherapy group (15.5 ± 2.7 days vs. 27.5 ± 2.3 days, P = 0.022). In terms of functional outcomes, patients who received HoLEP + HIFU had significantly higher maximum (12 months: P = 0.015, 36 months: P = 0.014) and average (36 months: P = 0.002, 60 months: P = 0.047) flow rates than those who received HIFU monotherapy. The frequency of urethral stricture (13.3% vs. 0%), symptomatic urinary tract infection (10.0% vs. 0%), and bladder stone and urethrorectal fistula (3.3% vs. 0%) tended to be higher in the HIFU monotherapy group as compared with the HoLEP + HIFU group.

Conclusion

The HoLEP + HIFU treatment decreases urinary catheterization time and improves post-treatment urinary status without additional morbidity.