Perioperative Safety and Efficacy of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate in Patients Receiving Antithrombotic Therapy: A Prospective Cohort Study

We investigated the efficacy of and risk from holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) due to discontinuation of antithrombotics in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Patients in the prospective SNUH-BPH Database Registry who underwent HoLEP between December 2010 and December 2017 were enrolled. Preoperative evaluation included symptom score questionnaires, laboratory tests, urine tests, prostate-specific antigens, urodynamic study, and transrectal ultrasonography. Postoperative evaluation was performed at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Information regarding the types of antithrombotics and their use, underlying disease, and antithrombotic management during surgery was collected. The study included 55 patients. The mean age and preoperative prostate volume were 68.7 ± 6.4 years and 70.3 ± 32.2 mL, respectively. The mean preoperative hemoglobin level was 13.5 ± 2.6 g/dL in the patients receiving antithrombotics. Of the patients, 71% were taking aspirin. Seventy-five (66.5%) and 70 patients (28.2%) discontinued the antithrombotic therapy 5–7 days and <1 week preoperatively, respectively. Three patients (1.21%) were switched to low-molecular-weight heparin therapy, and 10 (4.03%) continued antithrombotic therapy. No significant differences were found in the incidence rates of postoperative transfusion (p = 0.894) or complications from antithrombotic use, thrombosis (p = 0.946), haemorrhage requiring bladder irrigation (p = 0.959), transurethral coagulation (p = 0.894), cardiovascular events (p = 0.845), and cerebrovascular events (p = 0.848). Efficacy and complications related to the short-term antithrombotic withdrawal before and after HoLEP also showed no significant differences. HoLEP may be a beneficial surgical technique for patients with BPH who are receiving antithrombotics.