Holmium laser enucleation ( HoLEP ) and photoselective vaporisation of the prostate ( PVP ) for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH ) and chronic urinary retention

Objectives To evaluate short‐term outcomes of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate ( HoLEP ) and photoselective vaporisation of the prostate ( PVP ) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and chronic urinary retention ( CUR ). Patients and Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients with CUR who underwent HoLEP or PVP at our institution over a 3‐year period. CUR was defined as a persistent post‐void residual urine volume ( PVR ) of >300 mL or refractory urinary retention requiring catheterisation. Results We identified 72 patients with CUR who underwent HoLEP and 31 who underwent PVP . Preoperative parameters including median catheterisation duration (3 vs 5 months, P = 0.71), American Urological Association Symptom Index score ( AUASI ; 18 vs 21, P = 0.24), and PVR (555 vs 473 mL, P = 0.096) were similar between the HoLEP and PVP groups. The HoLEP group had a larger prostate volume (88.5 vs 49 mL, P < 0.001) and higher PSA concentration (4.5 vs 2.4 ng/mL, P = 0.001). At median 6‐month follow‐up, 71 (99%) HoLEP patients and 23 (74%) PVP patients were catheter‐free ( P < 0.001). Of the voiding patients, postoperative AUASI (3 vs 4, P = 0.06), maximum urinary flow rate (23 vs 18 mL/s, P = 0.28) and PVR (56.5 vs 54 mL, P = 1.0) were improved in both groups. Conclusions Both HoLEP and PVP are effective at improving urinary parameters in men with CUR . Despite larger prostate volumes, HoLEP had a 99% successful deobstruction rate, thus rendering patients catheter‐free.