Comparison of 120 W 2-μm laser resection of the prostate outcomes in patients with or without preoperative urinary retention

INTRODUCTION: The 2-μm (thulium) laser is a new surgical laser for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). AIM: To report on the long-term outcome of 120 W TmLRP-TT in BPH patients with or without preoperative urinary retention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted from May 2013 to April 2015 among patients who were diagnosed with BPH and underwent TmLRP-TT. Patients were divided into two groups: with and without preoperative urinary retention. Pre- and post-operative data were evaluated for prostate-specific antigens (PSA), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality Of Life Score (QOLS), maximum flow rate (Qmax), and post-void residual urine volume (PVR). RESULTS: A total of 310 patients were enrolled for a follow-up period of more than 12 months. Overall 95 (30.6%) patients had urinary retention before TmLRP-TT, while 215 (69.4%) did not. We found that patients with urinary retention tended to have larger prostates and a higher PSA score. So a longer operation time and catheterization time were observed in them. Yet there was no difference in other perioperative and postoperative parameters. Postoperatively IPSS, QOLS, Qmax, and PVR showed a significant improvement in each group, but no significant difference was identified between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first direct comparison of TmLRP-TT outcomes in patients with or without urinary retention. With safe use, resultant excellent homeostasis, high cutting efficiency and rapid vaporization, 120 W 2-μm laser resection of the prostate has been proved to be safe and effective, and there was no increased risk for patients with urinary retention.