Laser prostate enucleation techniques.

INTRODUCTION Laser treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) through enucleation techniques has become increasingly more utilized in the field of urology. Laser enucleation of the prostate (LEP) is a transurethral procedure that employs several different types of lasers to dissect the adenoma from the surgical capsule in a retrograde fashion. MATERIALS AND METHODS We review basic laser physics and current laser prostate enucleation techniques. Holmium-LEP (HoLEP), Thulium-LEP (ThuLEP), Greenlight-LEP (GreenLEP) and Diode-LEP (DiLEP) applications are discussed. We summarize the current literature with respect to functional outcomes and complications. RESULTS Although each laser device used for prostate enucleation has the same goal of removal of the adenoma from the surgical capsule, each has unique characteristics (i.e. wavelength, absorption rates) that must be understood by the practicing surgeon. Mastery of one LEP technique does not necessarily translate into facile use of an alternative enucleation energy source and/or approach. The various LEP techniques have demonstrated similar, if not superior, postoperative results to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), the current gold standard in the treatment of BPH. CONCLUSIONS This article outlines the current LEP techniques and should serve as a quick reference for the practicing urologist.