Transurethral holmium laser resection and transurethral electrocision combined with intravesical epirubicin within 24 hours postoperatively for treatment of bladder cancer

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of transurethral holmium laser resection (THOLR) and transurethral electrocision (TUR) combined with intravesical epirubicin within 24 hours postoperatively for treatment of non-muscular invasive bladder cancer. METHODS: A total of 218 consecutive patients who were newly diagnosed with bladder cancer were enrolled in this prospective study from July 2014 to December 2017. The patients were randomly divided into THOLR and TUR groups. All patients received intravesical epirubicin (30 mg dissolved in 5% glucose solution) within 24 hours postoperatively. The operation time, blood loss, rate of obturator reflex, hospitalization time, catheterization time, complications, and recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Operation, hospitalization, and catheterization times were significantly greater in the TUR group than in the THOLR group. The rates of blood loss and intraoperative obturator reflex were also significantly greater in the TUR group. There were no significant differences in complications, recurrence rate survival, or recurrence-free survival between the two groups, with the exception of bladder perforation rate. CONCLUSIONS: THOLR and TUR combined with intravesical epirubicin within 24 hours postoperatively were both safe and effective for treatment of bladder tumor; however, patients who undergo THOLR might experience more rapid recovery.