Holmium: YAG laser prostatectomy; a comparative study with TURP

This prospective urodynamic-controlled study included 150 patients with bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]; 100 patients underwent holmium laser prostatectomy [HoLRP- HoLEP] and 50 patients were treated using transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP]. All patients had preoperative AUA symptom score, urinary flow rate, post-void residual urine, TRUS, filling cystometry, pressure flow studies, intraoperative course, postoperative outcome and postoperative retrieved prostate tissue; complications were detected and compared in both groups [with a follow up of six months]. The results of this study showed that holmium laser prostatectomy [HoLRP-HoLEP] is associated with a longer operation time, less blood loss, less perioperative morbidity, shorter postoperative catheterization time and shorter postoperative hospital stay in comparison with TURP. The follow up results [up to six months] showed that both groups were comparable with each other. However, a longer follow up is still required to assess the long-term results

Laser therapy in superficial bladder tumors: technique, results and complications

Fifty-two patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma were randomized to receive either Nd:YAG laser therapy [25 patients] or transurethral resection [27 patients]. Local tumor recurrence at the same site of the original tumor occurred in 12% of patients treated with laser therapy compared with 56% of those treated by transurethral resection. There was no significant difference as regards remote recurrence in both groups. These findings were corroborated even after stratification according to stage and grade, which agreed with a number of published reports. In addition, the Nd:YAG laser was associated with a smaller incidence of treatment-related morbidity. Nevertheless, the high cost of setting up and maintaining a laser unit precludes recommending it except in the setting of a large tertiary referral center