The outcomes of same-day discharge following holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) surgeries: our experience during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcomes of Same-Day Discharge (SDD) following Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) in patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A retrospective review of HoLEP surgeries at a single institution between January 2021 and March 2022 was performed. Patient demographic and operative data were collected, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated in terms of safety and efficacy and compared in both groups using a t-test and chi-square test. Logistic regression was also performed to identify factors that correlate with the failure of SDD. RESULTS: A total of 155 patients were identified; 135 patients were successfully discharged on the same day and 20 were admitted (87% SDD rate). Admitted HoLEP patients had a significantly higher median prostate-specific antigen (5.7 vs 3.9 ng/dL, P < 0.001), prostate volume (152.3 vs 100.6 mL, P < 0.001), and enucleated tissue weight (90.3 vs 56.9 g, P = 0.04) compared to the SDD group. The SDD group had a 2.9% (n = 4) readmission rate and a 5.2% (n = 7) Emergency Department (ED) visit rate. There was no significant difference in the rate of postoperative ED visits (P = 0.64), readmissions (P = 0.98), complications, and catheterization time (P = 0.98) between both groups. Preoperative predictors of SDD failure included prostate gland volume > 150 mL (OR = 7.17; CI 2.01–25.67; P < 0.01) and history of antiplatelet/anticoagulation use (OR = 6.59; CI 2.00–21.67; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Same-day discharge following HoLEP is a safe and effective approach that can be performed in most patients using a liberal discharge criteria and relying on postoperative findings only.