ABSTRACT Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate clinical and surgical factors associated with early catheter replacement in patients treated with Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP). Materials and Methods: Data of patients treated with HoLEP at our Institution by a single surgeon from March 2017 to January 2021 were collected. Preoperative variables, including non-invasive uroflowmetry and abdominal ultrasonography (US), were recorded. Bladder wall modifications (BWM) at preoperative US were defined as the presence of single or multiple bladder diverticula or bladder wall thickening ≥5 mm. Clinical symptoms were assessed using validated questionnaires. Only events occurred within the first week after catheter removal were considered. Results: Overall, 305 patients were included, of which 46 (15.1%) experienced early catheter replacement. Maintenance of anticoagulants/antiplatelets (AC/AP) therapy at surgery (p=0.001), indwelling urinary catheter (p=0.02) and the presence of BWM (p=0.001) were more frequently reported in patients needing postoperative re-catheterization. Intraoperative complications (p=0.02) and median lasing time (p=0.02) were significantly higher in this group. At univariate analysis, indwelling urinary catheter (p=0.02), BWM (p=0.01), ongoing AC/AP therapy (p=0.01) and intraoperative complications (p=0.01) were significantly associated with early catheter replacement. At multivariate analysis, indwelling urinary catheter (OR: 1.28; p=0.02), BWM (OR: 2.87; p=0.001), and AC/AP therapy (OR: 2.21; p=0.01) were confirmed as independent predictors of catheter replacement. Conclusions: In our experience the presence of indwelling urinary catheter before surgery, BWM and the maintenance of AC/AP therapy were shown to be independent predictors of early catheter replacement after HoLEP.

ABSTRACT Introduction We assessed the efficacy and safety of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in patients with high comorbidity burden. Materials and methods Data from patients treated with HoLEP at our academic referral center from March 2017 to January 2021 were prospectively collected. Patients were divided according to their CCI (Charlson Comorbidity Index). Perioperative surgical data and 3-month functional outcomes were collected. Results Out of 305 patients included, 107 (35.1%) and 198 (64.9%) were classified as CCI ≥ 3 and < 3, respectively. The groups were comparable in terms of baseline prostate size, symptoms severity, post-void residue and Qmax. The amount of energy delivered during HoLEP (141.3 vs. 118.0 KJ, p=0.01) and lasing time (38 vs 31 minutes, p=0.01) were significantly higher in patients with CCI ≥ 3. However, median enucleation, morcellation and overall surgical time were comparable between the two groups (all p>0.05). Intraoperative complications rate (9.3% vs. 9.5%, p=0.77), median time to catheter removal and hospital stay were comparable between the two cohorts. Similarly, early (30 days) and delayed (>30 days) surgical complications rates were not significantly different between the two groups. At 3-month follow up, functional outcomes using validated questionnaires did not differ between the two groups (all p>0.05). Conclusions HoLEP represents a safe and effective treatment option for BPH also in patients with high comorbidity burden.

ABSTRACT Purpose: The expansion of technology is leading to a paradigm shift in several urological fields (1, 2). In particular, the adoption of lasers within the surgical treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is considered one of the most relevant innovations (3-5). In this video, we aimed to report our experience with holmium laser for the ablation of the prostate (HoLAP) in patients with obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to BPH. Materials and Methods: From 2018 to 2020, 10 patients with obstructive LUTS secondary to BPH were treated at our Institution with HoLAP (120W Holmium laser Lumenis® with Moses® technology). Main inclusion criteria were: 1) International Prostate Symptom Score ≥12; 2) prostate volume ≤65mL, 3) maximal flow rate (Qmax) ≤15ml/s at preoperative non-invasive uroflowmetry. Results: Mean patient age was 65 (range: 59-72) years. Preoperative mean prostate volume was 50 (range: 35-65) mL. Mean operative time was 66 (range: 45-85) minutes with a mean laser time/operative time ratio of 0.51 (range: 0.44-0.60). Voiding symptoms, Qmax and post voiding residual were significantly improved after 3 and 12 months (all p <0.05). No postoperative urinary incontinence was detected. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that HoLAP is a slightly time-spending procedure, thus its use should be limited to prostate volume <70-80mL. However, no postoperative complications were recorded at all. This technique showed to be a safe option in patients with low-intermediate prostate volume, also in patients whose antiaggregant/anticoagulant therapy is maintained.