A Prospective, Randomized Study Comparing the Outcome After Thulium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate with Conventional Monopolar TURP for the Treatment of Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE

This is a prospective randomized study with the aim of comparing (thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatment.

METHODS

Patients are assessed preoperatively and up to 6 months postoperatively. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximum urinary flow rates (Qmax), international index of erectile function-5 (IIEF-5) and post-void residual volume (PVR) are collected on each follow-up.

RESULTS

In comparison to TURP, the ThuLEP group has significantly less need for catheter traction and less need for postoperative irrigation. The operative time is significantly higher in ThuLEP compared to TURP. ThuLEP is significantly superior to TURP in terms of early catheter removal, less drop in haemoglobin, less fall in serum sodium level, and early hospital discharge. ThuLEP and TURP resulted in a significant improvement from baseline in terms of IPSS, PVR, Qmax, and QoL, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. The IIEF-5 is the same as the baseline in both groups. Early and late complications are also comparable.

CONCLUSION

The ThuLEP outperforms TURP in terms of blood loss, significantly less need for postoperative catheter traction, bladder irrigations, early catheter removal, and less hospital stay. Transurethral resection of the prostate takes longer operative time in the early stages of experience. The results of both surgeries are comparable in terms of PVR, Qmax, and subjective scoring systems (IPSS, QoL). Transurethral resection of the prostate is a safe and efficient BPH treatment method comparable to the monopolar TURP.