BPH Outcomes Comparable for Pulsed Laser and Open Surgery

A study comparing high-peak-power pulsed Thulium:YAG laser enucleation (p-ThuLEP) and open simple prostatectomy (OSP) for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) found that both procedures yield similar early functional outcomes, though p-ThuLEP offers advantages in reduced hospitalization and lower transfusion rates. Published May 30 in Translational Andrology and Urology, the research analyzed 103 patients and reported comparable improvements in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) within 90 days post-surgery. However, patients undergoing p-ThuLEP experienced shorter hospital stays (1.5 days versus 4.5 days for OSP) and significantly lower blood transfusion rates (2.9% versus 20.8%), highlighting the minimally invasive procedure’s potential to reduce perioperative risks.

The retrospective analysis, conducted at a single institution, evaluated outcomes across two groups: 52 patients treated with p-ThuLEP and 51 with OSP. Both techniques effectively addressed BPH-related symptoms, with no statistically significant differences in complication rates or functional recovery metrics. Researchers emphasized that while p-ThuLEP’s shorter recovery time and lower transfusion burden may enhance patient safety and satisfaction, further long-term studies are needed to assess durability and broader applicability. The findings suggest p-ThuLEP could serve as a viable alternative to traditional surgery for select BPH cases, particularly in settings prioritizing reduced hospital resource use.