Vaporization vs. enucleation techniques for BPO: do we have a standard?

Abstract

Purpose of review: This article discusses enucleation and vaporization procedures which have been developed on the surgical techniques of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) by reviewing the most recent publications.

Recent findings: Enucleation procedures have been described using holmium, thulium, diode or GreenLight lasers in addition to bipolar energy sources. Most of the current literature for these enucleation procedures consists of initial descriptions of the surgical techniques or prospective series from single centres, although the availability of prospective randomized trial for these procedures other than HoLEP is limited. PVP have been described using 80-W, 120-W, or 180-W GreenLight lasers. To date, only sparse literature is available for thulium or bipolar vaporization of the prostate.

Summary: A variety of alternative vaporization and enucleation procedures are available for transurethral treatment of benign prostatic obstruction. Only very few PRT have been published for these procedures limiting their evidence for the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction. To date, best evidence is still available for the HoLEP and PVP procedure.