Comparison of plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate (PKEP) with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Patients and methods: Retrospective analyses were performed on 360 cases of BPH, 180 treated by PKEP and 180 treated by HoLEP at our institution between January 2008 and January 2011. The safety and efficacy of the two approaches were assessed based on the periand postoperative outcome data during a 24-month follow-up. Significant findings: Operation time (87.6±32.3 vs. 74.9±25.0 min) and take-out tissue time (30.9±15.7 vs. 15.1±7.9 min) were significantly longer in the PKEP group than those in the HoLEP group (P<0.01). There were significant reductions of the hemoglobin level and bladder irrigation time in the HoLEP group. Enucleating time, serum sodium level, resected weight and catheter time were comparable between the two groups. Both groups displayed marked improvements in international prostate symptom score (IPSS), postvoid residual urine (PVR), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and quality of life score (QoL), compared to baseline levels. However, no significant difference in these outcome parameters was noted between the two groups. Additionally, the two groups showed a similar complication rate after surgery. Conclusions: Both PKEP and HoLEP are effective and safe in the treatment of BPH. HoLEP is associated with less risk of hemorrhage and reduced operation time and bladder irrigation time.