Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for extremely large prostates.
Materials and methods: Patients undergoing HoLEP between July 2008 and December 2013 from the Seoul National University Hospital Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Database Registry were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups according to their total prostate volume (TPV): group A (TPV<100 mL), group B (100 mL≤TPV<200 mL), and group C (TPV≥200 mL); the clinical data of the three groups were compared. All patients were followed up 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery.
Results: A total of 502 patients (group A, 426; group B, 70; group C, 6) with a mean age of 69.0 (standard deviation, ±7.3) years were included in our analysis. The mean prostate volume and prostate-specific antigen level were 68.7±36.9 mL and 4.15±4.24 ng/mL, respectively. The enucleation and morcellation times were longer in group C (p<0.001), and the enucleation efficacy was higher in this group (p<0.001, R(2)=0.399). Moreover, the mean postoperative catheterization and hospitalization periods were significantly longer in group C (p=0.004 and p=0.011, respectively). However, there were no significant differences between the groups in any other postoperative events, including recatheterization, reoperation, urinary tract infection, clot retention, and bladder neck contracture (p range, 0.516-0.913). One patient in group C experienced recurrence of the urethral stricture.
Conclusions: HoLEP in patients with an extremely large prostate can be performed efficiently and safely.
Keywords: Laser therapy; Prostate; Prostatic hyperplasia; Transurethral resection of prostate.