Comparison of Vela and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: a retrospective clinical trial with a 12-month follow-up

• DOI: 10.1007/s11255-018-1840-y
• Publication Date: 2018-03-24T07:45:36Z
• Authors: Meng Gu; Chong Liu; Yan-bo Chen; Huan Xu; Shi Fu; Qi Chen; Zhong Wang
• Keywords: Aged, 80 and over; Male; Operative Time; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Lasers, Solid-State; 3. Good health; Hemoglobins; Holmium; 03 medical and health sciences; Treatment Outcome; 0302 clinical medicine; Thulium; Humans; Noise; Aged; Follow-Up Studies; Retrospective Studies

This study aimed to estimate the validity and applicability of Vela laser enucleation of the prostate (VoLEP) in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).A retrospective chart review of 112 patients with BPH who underwent VoLEP (n = 60) or holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) (n = 56) was conducted at our institution from January 2015 to June 2015. The general and perioperative characteristics of the patients were collected. The 12-month follow-up data, including the lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) indexes (International Prostate Symptom Score [I-PSS], quality-of-life [QoL] score and maximum flow rate [Qmax]), as well as rates of perioperative and late complications, were analyzed.No significant differences were observed in pre- and perioperative parameters, including operation time (58.05 ± 10.14 vs. 60.14 ± 12.30 min, P = 0.44), serum sodium decrease (3.49 ± 0.83 vs. 3.48 ± 0.84 mmol/L, P = 0.97), hemoglobin decrease (1.28 ± 0.38 vs. 1.24 ± 0.77 g/dL, P = 0.71), catheterization time (3.63 ± 1.10 vs. 3.89 ± 1.11 days, P = 0.21) and hospital stay (4.57 ± 1.25 vs. 4.68 ± 1.18 days, P = 0.63) between the two groups of patients. Compared with the HoLEP group, the noise during operation was lower in VoLEP group (47.22 ± 10.31 vs. 59.45 ± 9.65 db, P < 0.05). During 1, 6 and 12 months of follow-up visits, the LUTS indexes (I-PSS, QoL score and Qmax) were remarkably improved in both groups when comparing with the baseline values. Furthermore, LUTS indexes were comparable in both groups (P > 0.05).Similarly as the holmium laser, the Vela laser is a potent, safe, efficient durable and surgical treatment option for minimally invasive surgery in patients with BPH-induced LUTS.