Background and purpose: The holmium laser (2140 nm) can be used to ablate, resect, and enucleate the enlarged prostate. The 2-year results of a randomized trial comparing holmium laser resection of the prostate (HoLRP) and transurethral resection (TURP) are presented.
Patients and methods: The 120 patients were randomized to either TURP (N = 59) or HoLRP (N = 61). The patients were reviewed at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. Eighty six (72%) of the patients were available for review at the 2-year mark.
Results: At 2 years, there was no significant difference between the two groups in AUA Symptom Score, peak flow rate (Qmax) value, or quality of life score. Adverse events, including reoperations, incontinence, and loss of erectile potency, were also similar.
Conclusions: The HoLRP and TURP procedures result in similar clinical outcomes at 2 years.