Objective: To present the first age-stratified assessment of outcomes after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms resulting from prostate enlargement.
Patients and methods: We retrospectively analysed and compared the morbidity, and the peri-operative and functional outcomes of patients aged 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and ≥80 years. Complications at 30 days were stratified using the Clavien system. Functional outcomes were assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax ), post-void residual urine volume (PVR) and urinary continence.
Results: A total of 311 patients underwent HoLEP for obstructive voiding symptoms from August 2007 to June 2011, of whom 22 patients were aged 50-59 years, 91 were aged 60-69 years, 153 were aged 70-79 years, and 45 were aged ≥80 years. The overall morbidity rates were similar among the age groups (20, 24.4, 21.6 and 22.1% for groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively), as were the incidence of significant complications (Clavien grade ≥ III), change in serum haemoglobin level, and length of hospital stay. Patients ≥80 years did have a longer catheterization time (3.4 days) than patients aged 50-59 years (1.68 days). By 1 year there were no significant differences in urinary continence, IPSS, Qmax , or PVR among the age groups.
Conclusions: Overall morbidity, hospital stay, and 1-year functional outcomes of HoLEP were similar among all age groups. This study shows that HoLEP is a safe and effective treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia regardless of age.
Keywords: BPH; enucleation; holmium; laser; prostate.
© 2013 BJU International.