Feasibility of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) after Prior Prostate Intervention for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - Beyond the Abstract

Multiple minimally invasive procedures are available for treating enlarged prostate and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), including TURP, PAE, HoLEP, Green light laser (PVP), THuLEP, PUL, iTind™, and Aquablation. HoLEP is increasingly utilized for patients requiring re-treatment of LUTS following prior transurethral interventions. Although concerns exist regarding adhesions, altered anatomy, scarring after previous procedures, and increased operative times, this study demonstrates that HoLEP maintains its efficacy and safety in such cases.

Among 286 patients undergoing HoLEP, two cohorts were analyzed: 143 patients with prior prostate surgery and 143 without prior surgery. Morcellation efficacy was significantly higher in patients undergoing HoLEP without prior surgery (6.00 [4.73–8.46] vs 5.11 [3.63–7.00], P = .0014). Estimated blood loss was higher in the prior-surgery group. At 3 months postoperatively, IPSS was significantly lower in patients with prior surgery (7.00 [4.00–10.00] vs 9.00 [4.00–13.00], P = .0185). No other perioperative variables differed significantly between groups, including Hemoglobin reduction, Enucleation efficacy, and prostate volume.

Prior surgical treatment does not compromise enucleation efficiency, postoperative symptom improvement, or hemoglobin reduction, confirming the reliability of HoLEP despite previous tissue disruption. However, reduced morcellation efficiency and increased estimated blood loss are observed in previously treated patients, likely due to intraprostatic adhesions and altered tissue characteristics, resulting in slightly longer operative times. These findings underscore the need for careful hemostasis and anticipation of extended morcellation during re-treatment.

Written by: Peyman Mokhtarzadehazar, Blake Ferguson, Garrett Davis, and Marawan M. El Tayeb

  • Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, TX
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