Objective: We compared conventional transurethral electroresection of the prostate (TURP) and hybrid laser treatment in patients with symptomatic bladder outflow obstruction caused by a benign prostate bigger than 40 ml.
Material and methods: Forty-six patients with symptomatic urodynamically confirmed outflow obstruction caused by benign prostate hyperplasia bigger than 40 ml were accepted to the prospective trial and were randomized to receive hybrid laser treatment or TURP. The hybrid laser technique involved initial non-contact Nd:YAG coagulation followed by contact Nd:YAG vaporization to open the prostatic urethra. Patients were re-assessed after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months.
Results: Of the 46 patients, 37 (80%) were available at the 24-month follow-up. The re-operation rate was 14.3% in the hybrid laser group and 8.3% in the TURP group. The decrease in DanPSS-1 symptom score from baseline at 24 months was 51.0% in the hybrid laser group (p<0.01) and 80.0% in the TURP group (p<0.001), with no statistically significant differences between the groups. Early improvement in objective urinary parameters of peak urinary flow rate and residual urinary volume showed deterioration in hybrid laser group during longer follow-up, whereas in TURP group the improvement of these variables was sustained. Comparison between groups showed TURP to be superior in peak urinary flow rate (p < 0.001) and residual urinary volume (p < 0.01) at the 24-month follow-up visit.
Conclusions: Both hybrid laser treatment and TURP give good symptomatic relief lasting at least 2 years in the treatment of big obstructing prostates, but hybrid laser treatment is associated with a higher re-operation rate because of inadequate initial prostate tissue removal and with inferior outcome in objective urinary parameters compared with TURP.