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.