Evaluating the efficacy and safety of Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate in patients with obstructive uropathy attributable to bladder outlet obstruction

To evaluate outcomes of Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in individuals presenting with obstructive-uropathy (OU) attributable to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO).

We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent HoLEP from August 2017 to January 2023 at our institution. We identified patients with preoperative OU defined by presence of chronic hydronephrosis suggestive of BOO and conducted a matched-pair analysis (1:2) with patients undergoing HoLEP without OU. Patients’ demographic, perioperative and postoperative voiding parameters, serum creatinine level, and complications were analyzed up to one-year of follow-up.

Preoperative OU was present in 42 patients. Demographic and preoperative parameters were comparable except median preoperative creatinine (1.245 vs. 1.065 ng/ml, p < 0.001) and catheterization rates (76.2% vs. 25%, p < 0.001) were higher in the OU group. The mean duration of postoperative catheterization was longer in the OU group (3.83 vs. 2.26 days, p = 0.048). Two patients in the OU group developed postoperative acute kidney injury. There was no difference in the rate of postoperative complications, improvement in International Prostate Symptom Score and maximum urinary flow amongst both groups except a higher post-void residual volume at 3- and 12-months (p = 0.001 and p = 0.037, respectively) in OU patients. Patients noted significant improvement in serum creatinine level at 6–12 weeks postoperatively from peak baseline level (P = 0.002).

HoLEP is effective and safe in patients with OU suggestive of BOO, though they are at higher risk of postoperative acute kidney injury.