Comparison of the Safety and Efficacy of Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate (PVP) and Transurethral Enucleation with a Bipolar System (TUEB): A Single-Center Retrospective Study

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) and transurethral enucleation with a bipolar system (TUEB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent PVP or TUEB surgery for lower urinary tract symptoms due to bladder outlet obstruction at our institution from September 2015 to May 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 83 patients (PVP: n=45, TUEB: n=38) who were available for follow-up at least 12 months after surgery were included. Preoperative characteristics, perioperative parameters, and postoperative outcomes—such as International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual urine volume (PVR), and complications―at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Although differences in age, IPSS, and QoL were not significant, a significantly greater prostate volume, lower Qmax, and greater PVR were noted in the TUEB group. In perioperative parameters, a significantly shorter operation time, less change in serum hemoglobin, fewer days of catheterization, and shorter length of stay were observed in the PVP group. As for postoperative outcomes, the IPSS storage subscore and PVR were significantly improved in the TUEB group. As complications, stress urinary incontinence was more frequently observed in the TUEB group, and urethral stricture was more common in the PVP group. CONCLUSION: The present data suggest that PVP and TUEB are efficient and safe surgical treatment options. Management of patients undergoing PVP in the perioperative period appears easy. Improvements of subjective and objective parameters were superior after TUEB than after PVP.