Holmium Laser vs Monopolar Electrocautery Bladder Neck Incision for Prostates Less Than 30 Grams: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Abstract

To compare the efficacy and results of bladder neck incision (BNI) in bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in men with a small prostate using holmium laser vs conventional monopolar electrocautery technique. This study included 140 patients of BOO (prostate size ≤ 30 cc, American Urological Association (AUA) score ≥ 8, Qmax ≤ 15 mL/sec, and Schäfer grade ≥ 2) who were randomly assigned to holmium laser BNI (HoBNI) or conventional BNI (C-BNI). AUA score and Qmax were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 3, 6, and 12 months. At 6 months, detrusor pressure at Qmax, Schäfer grade, and postvoid residual were assessed. The incidence of postoperative hematuria and blood transfusion in the C-BNI group were 4.2% and 2.8%, respectively. No patient in the HoBNI group developed hematuria or required blood transfusion. Qmax and AUA score at each follow-up, and Pdet Qmax, Schäfer grade, and postvoid residual at 6 months were comparable between two groups but showed significant improvement when compared to baseline in both the groups. At 6 months, 2.9% patients in the HoBNI group and 4.3% in the C-BNI group remained obstructed urodynamically and underwent reoperation (P > .05). The incidence of retrograde ejaculation was significantly higher in HoBNI (22.9% vs 6.1%, P -.02) CONCLUSION: Both procedures are equally efficient in relieving BOO in patients with prostate size < 30 cc and have similar success rates. The risk of postoperative hematuria is less with HoBNI because of its better hemostatic properties, but its use must be counterbalanced with significant increase in incidence of retrograde ejaculation.