Mostafa M. Elhilali

Objective: To evaluate in vitro and in vivo effects of Moses technology in Holmium laser and to compare it with the Regular mode in terms of lithotripsy efficiency and laser-tissue interactions. Methods: The Lumenis ^® Pulse™ P120H holmium laser system together with Moses D/F/L fibers were used to compare the Regular mode with the Moses modes in stone retropulsion by using a high-speed camera, and stone ablation efficiency. In addition, a porcine ureteroscopy model was used to assess stone fragmentation and dusting as well as laser-tissue interaction with the ureteral wall. Results: After a laser pulse, in vitro stone displacement experiments showed a significant reduction in retropulsion when using the Moses mode. The stone movement was reduced by 50 times at 0.8 J and 10 Hz ( p < 0.01). The pronounced reduction of retropulsion in the Moses mode was clearly observed during fragmentation setting (high energy) and dusting (low energy, high Hz). In addition, stone fragmentation tests showed that the Moses modes resulted in a significantly higher ablation volume when compared with the Regular mode (160% higher; p < 0.001). In vivo assessment also supported the reduction in retropulsion when treating stones in the porcine kidney. Histological analysis of the porcine ureter after direct lasing in the Moses mode suggested less damage than in the Regular mode. Conclusions: The Moses technology resulted in more efficient laser lithotripsy, in addition to significantly reduced stone retropulsion, and displayed a margin of safety that may result in a shorter procedural time and safer lithotripsy.

Greenlight laser vaporization versus transurethral resection of the prostate for the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction: evidence from randomized controlled studies

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common causes of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in aging men. Over the age of 60, more than a half of men have BPH and/or bothersome LUTS. Contemporary guidelines advocate surgery as the standard of care for symptomatic BPH after failure of medical therapy, where the choice of the appropriate surgical procedure depends on the prostate size. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and simple open prostatectomy (OP) have been considered for decades the reference-standard techniques for men with prostate smaller and larger than 80 ml, respectively. However, both procedures are potentially associated with considerable perioperative morbidity which prompted the introduction of a variety of minimally invasive surgical techniques with comparable long-term outcomes compared to TURP and OP. Nevertheless, the management of prostates larger than 100 ml remains a clinical challenge. Transurethral anatomical enucleation of the prostate utilizing different laser energy represents an excellent alternative concept in transurethral BPH surgery. These procedures gained popularity and demonstrated similar outcomes to OP with the advantages of favorable morbidity profiles and shorter catheter time and hospital stay. Despite the fact that OP remains a viable treatment option for patients with bothersome LUTS secondary to very large prostates, this procedure has been to a large extent replaced by these emerging enucleation techniques. Given the advent of surgical alternatives, the current review presents an evidence-based comparison of the efficacy and safety profile of the currently available transurethral laser techniques with the standard OP for the management of BPH due to adenomas larger than 100 ml.

Introduction: We assessed the change of patients’ profile presenting for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) over 16 years and its impact on surgical outcomes over this time.Methods: We reviewed a prospectively maintained database of patients treated with laser for symptomatic BPH since March 1998. Patients were divided into 3 consecutive time-based groups: Group 1 for patients who underwent surgery before April 2004; Group 2, between April 2004 and March 2009; and for Group 3 from April 2009 to August 2014. We reviewed demographic and preoperative data, including prostate volume; international prostate symptoms score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), and peak flow rate (Qmax). We also recorded any perioperative and long-term complications.Results: A total of 1835 patients were included in our study, including 542 (29.5%) in Group 1, 614 (33.5%) in Group 2, and 679 (37%) in Group 3. Preoperative prostate volume was positively correlated with age at surgery (r = 0.62, p < 0.001), total energy used (r = 0.47, p < 0.001), and total operative time (r = 0.47, p < 0.001). Patients in Group 3 were significantly older (75.28 ± 8.47 in Group 3 vs. 71.11 ± 8.9 in Group 2 vs. 65.3 ± 9.04 years in Group 1, p 72 years), prostate volume (>80 cc), operative time (>95 minutes), and preoperative PSA (>6 ng/dL) were significantly associated with postoperative urinary incontinence.Conclusions: Patients presenting for surgery due to symptomatic BPH over the last 16 years were significantly older, more morbid, and had larger prostates and more abnormal voiding parameters. Over time, patients used prostatic medications more frequently. Despite the changes in patient profiles, perioperative safety and complication rates between groups were comparable, likely due to advancements in laser technology and techniques. Age (>72 years), prostate volume (>80 cc), operative time (>95 minutes), and preoperative PSA (>6 ng/dL) were significantly associated with reversible postoperative urinary incontinence.

Introduction: We determine the impact of prostate size on the long-term outcome of holmium laser transurethral incision of the prostate (Ho-TUIP) for bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) secondary to benign prostate enlargement (BPE).Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed for patients undergoing Ho-TUIP by a single surgeon for patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to BOO. Patients were stratified into 2 groups: Group 1 included patients with prostate ≤30 cc and Group 2 included patients with prostate >30 cc. Demographic, operative and followup data were recorded and analyzed. In addition, intraoperative and long-term adverse events were included.Results: In total, 82 patients underwent surgery between March 1998 and March 2013, including 9 (11%) reoperated patients. Only prostate size independently predicted reoperation after Ho-TUIP (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.12 [2.92–9.14], p = 0.01). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed an optimal cutoff value of prostate volume of 29 cc to characterize long-term reoperation after TUIP, with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.96, sensitivity of 89.7 and specificity of 88.9. Group 1 included 51 patients and Group 2 included 31 patients. The international prostate symptoms score (IPSS) and peak flow rate (Qmax) significantly improved in both groups at different follow-up points. At the 12-month follow-up, the percent change in IPSS and Qmax were comparable between both groups. However, after 12 months, the degree of improvement in all voiding parameters was significantly higher in Group 1 (p < 0.001 at all points of follow-up). After a median follow-up of 5.3 years (range: 1–13), both groups had comparable early and late adverse events with significantly higher reoperation rate in Group 2 (3.9% vs. 22.6%, p = 0.02). Overall retrograde ejaculation was detected in 25.6% of sexually active men and it was comparable between both groups (23.5% vs. 29%, p = 0.61). On multivariable analysis, patients with prostate volume >30 cc were associated with significantly higher reoperation for BOO (aOR 95% CI 5.72 [2.83– 8.14], p = 0.02), significantly higher IPSS (aOR 1.72), higher quality of life index (aOR 1.72) and lower Qmax (aOR 0.28).Conclusion: Ho-TUIP is a durable, safe and efficient treatment of BOO secondary to a small-sized prostate. The long-term outcome could be improved and the re-operation rate could be minimized with appropriate selection of cases, with prostate glands no bigger than 30 cc.

After the advent of the GreenLight XPS™ (180 W) 532 nm laser, photoselective vapo-enucleation of the prostate could compete with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate as a size independent procedure. We assessed whether photoselective vapo-enucleation of the prostate-XPS is not less effective than holmium laser enucleation of prostate for improvement of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. A randomized controlled noninferiority trial comparing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate to photoselective vapo-enucleation of the prostate-XPS 180 W was conducted. I-PSS, flow rate, residual urine, prostate specific antigen and prostate volume changes as well as perioperative and late adverse events were compared. Noninferiority of I-PSS at 1 year was evaluated using a 1-sided test at 5% level of significance. The statistical significance of other comparators was assessed at the (2-sided) 5% level. Overall 50 and 53 patients were included in the holmium laser enucleation and photoselective vapo-enucleation of the prostate groups, respectively. Operative time, hospital stay and time to catheter removal were comparable between the groups. There was significant, comparable improvement in I-PSS and post-void residual urine volume at 1, 4 and 12 months. After 4 months prostate size reduction was significantly higher in the holmium laser enucleation of prostate group (74.3% vs 43.1%, p=0.001). At 12 months maximum urine flow rate was significantly higher in the holmium laser enucleation of prostate group (26.4 ±11.5 vs 18.4 ±7.5 ml per second, p=0.03). Re-intervention was needed in 2 and 3 cases in the holmium laser enucleation and photoselective vapo-enucleation of the prostate groups, respectively (p=1.0). Mean estimated cost per holmium laser enucleation of prostate procedure was significantly lower than per photoselective vapo-enucleation of the prostate procedure. Compared to holmium laser enucleation of prostate, GreenLight XPS laser photoselective vapo-enucleation of the prostate is safe, noninferior and effective in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

We assess the perioperative, short-term and long-term functional outcomes of treating bladder outlet obstruction secondary to a small prostate by 1 of 2 laser techniques. A retrospective review using a prospectively maintained database was performed of patients treated for bladder outlet obstruction secondary to a prostate smaller than 40 ml. Patients who were treated with GreenLight™ photoselective vaporization of the prostate or holmium laser transurethral incision of the prostate were included in the study. From January 2002 through December 2010, 191 cases of 1,682 laser prostate surgeries were described. GreenLight photoselective vaporization of the prostate was performed in 144 (75.4%) cases and holmium laser transurethral incision of the prostate was performed in 47 (24.6%) cases. A significantly shorter mean operating time, hospital stay and catheter duration were observed in the holmium laser transurethral incision of the prostate group (30.3 ± 16 minutes, 0.8 ± 0.8 days and 1.3 ± 1.9 days, respectively) than in the photoselective vaporization of the prostate group (45.8 ± 22 minutes, 0.3 ± 0.4 days and 0.4 ± 0.6 days, respectively, p 0.05). Reoperation rates were 10.4% and 6.4% in the photoselective vaporization of the prostate and holmium laser transurethral incision of the prostate groups, respectively (p >0.05). The mean estimated cost per holmium laser transurethral incision of the prostate procedure was significantly lower than per photoselective vaporization of the prostate procedure (509.34CAD vs 1,765.92CAD, p = 0.002). Holmium laser transurethral incision of the prostate and GreenLight photoselective vaporization of the prostate seem to be equally effective, safe and durable surgical treatment options for small prostates even in high risk patients.