Evaluating the long-term effectiveness and safety of thulium laser enucleation of the prostate treatment for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness and safety of thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) treatment for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The data showed that ThuLEP treatment was safe and effective over the long term in these patients.

BPH is the non-cancerous increase in the size of the prostate gland. BPH can cause lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as frequent urination, trouble starting to urinate, and a weak stream while urinating. Other symptoms include urine leakage (incontinence) and discomfort passing urine. LUTS/BPH can lead to problems relating to the quality of life and mental health issues. Sexual function can also be negatively impacted.

Standard treatments for BPH involve surgical procedures that can often impact ejaculation and sexual function. Studies have shown that newer laser technologies like ThuLEP may be associated with better functional outcomes. ThuLEP is the use of a laser to remove the excess prostate tissue through the urethra (the tube that passes urine out from the bladder). ThuLEP is an established treatment option for BPH, however, the long-term outcomes of ThuLEP for BPH are still unknown.

This study involved 1097 patients with BPH. All men received treatment with ThuLEP. The average follow-up period was 6 years. A third of the patients were followed up for 10 years. 

Overall, 3.8% of the patients needed reintervention for persistence or regrowth of prostate adenoma (ReIP) after an average follow-up period of 2 years. 5.6% of the patients underwent ReIP after 10 years.

Overall, 2.6% of the patients experienced long-term complications due to ThuLEP treatment after an average follow-up period of 0.5 years. The most common complication was urethrotomy (surgery to repair a narrowed section of the urethra). 3.4% of the patients experienced complications after 10 years.

This study concluded that ThuLEP treatment was safe and effective over the long term in patients with BPH.

This study looked back in time at medical records. This study lacked functional outcomes. This study only included patients treated at a single institution in Germany.