Diode Laser Ablation of Prostate versus Monopolar Transurethral Electro-Resection of Prostate for Treating Symptomatic BPH: A Prospective Study

Background: Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) can be treated with endoscopic urological procedures, which includes both laser ablation of prostate and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
Objective: To determine the advantages and disadvantages of using diode laser procedure in treating patients with BPH in contrast to TURP treatment.
Methods: In a prospective non-randomized study at a single center, 40 patients presenting with symptoms of lower urinary tract symptoms attributable to BPH between the ages of 50 to 90 years were enrolled from November 2014 to June 2015. TURP was used in Group A, and transurethral laser ablation of prostate (TULAP) was used in Group B. Outcomes, including International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and higher maximum flow rate (Qmax) were compared at 3 months.
Results: At 3 months, patients treated with TULAP had a significantly Qmax than those treated with TURP (p<0.001). There was a significantly lower hospital stay for BPH patients treated with the TULAP technique (p<0.001). Patients treated with the TULAP procedure had a significantly shorter catheter time (p=0.001). There was a non-significant difference in procedure time between the two methods (p=0.2). There was a significant increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) among those treated with the TURP technique (p=0.01).
Conclusion: Lower urinary tract problems induced by BPH can be successfully treated by diode laser ablation of prostate. Our findings suggest that diode laser is reliable and efficient when patients are carefully chosen for surgery.
Keywords: BPH, Ablation of Prostate, TULAP, TURP
Citation: Sami AKM, Bajalan DH. Diode laser ablation of prostate versus monopolar transurethral electro-resection of prostate for treating symptomatic BPH: A prospective study. Iraqi JMS. 2022; 20(1): 26-34. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.20.1.4