A Focused Review on the Effects of Preoperative 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Treatment in Patients Undergoing Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: What Do We Know So Far?

Abstract

The effects of medical therapy with finasteride or dutasteride during transurethral enucleation of prostate and tissue morcellation are not well defined. In theory, the risk of prostatic fibrosis versus the potential benefit of reduced intraoperative bleeding has been addressed as potential competing factors. The aim of this review was to provide evidence whether 5α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) put the surgeon at a disadvantage or impact on patient outcomes. We performed a literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. All articles in English language related to the topic were reviewed to provide data on the influence of preoperative 5-ARIs in holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP). Parameters of surgical efficiency such as enucleation time and efficiency, morcellation time, operating time, prostate tissue volume resected, energy, and saline usage were evaluated in the included studies. The review failed to show any definite impact of preoperative 5-ARI use on the mentioned parameters. One study, assessing the surgical difficulty using retrospective video recording analysis, showed that use of dutasteride increases the difficulty of enucleation step, which did not translate in statistical difference of surgical efficiency in an experienced level of surgeons. Overall, 5-ARIs do not seem to affect HoLEP. However, the quality of evidence is still quite poor in comparison with other surgical techniques. Further well-designed studies are required before making any definite recommendations on the use of 5-ARIs in patients undergoing HoLEP.