Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Review Article
  • Clinical
  • Published:

Enucleation of the prostate as retreatment for recurrent or residual benign prostatic obstruction: a systematic review and a meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (AEEP) is recommended for first line surgical treatment of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) caused by moderate and large prostatic adenoma. However, its role in the retreatment setting after failed previous surgical treatment for BPO remains uncaptured. In this scope, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to assess the safety and efficacy of AEEP in the retreatment setting.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase databases from inception to March 2022 for prospective or retrospective studies involving patients undergoing prostatic enucleation for recurrent or residual BPO after previous standard or minimally invasive surgical treatments for BPO. Based on data availability, we performed a meta-analysis comparing AEEP in patients with recurrent or residual BPO versus AEEP for primary BPO. PROSPERO: CRD42022308941).

Results

We included 15 studies in the systematic review and 10 in the meta-analysis (6553 patients, 841 with recurrent or residual BPO and 5712 with primary BPO). All included studies involved patients undergoing HoLEP or ThuLEP. In terms of Qmax, post-void residual, International Prostate Symptom Score, removed adenoma, operative time, duration of catheterization and hospital stay, as well as complications, HoLEP for recurrent or residual BPO was equally effective compared to HoLEP for primary BPO up to 1 year postoperatively. Importantly, the beneficial effect of HoLEP on the retreatment setting was observed after previous standard or minimally invasive surgical treatments for BPO. The overall strength of evidence for all outcomes was deemed very low.

Conclusions

HoLEP may be safely and effectively used in experienced hands for the surgical treatment of recurrent or residual BPO in patients with large or moderate prostates following previous open, endoscopic or minimally invasive surgical treatment for BPO.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Fig. 1: Forest plot of studies exploring the effect of HoLEP on Qmax in patients with recurrent or residual BPO versus primary BPO at 3 months after surgery.
Fig. 2: Forest plot of studies exploring the effect of HoLEP on PVR in patients with recurrent or residual BPO versus primary BPO at 3 months after surgery.
Fig. 3: Forest plot of studies exploring the effect of HoLEP on IPSS in patients with recurrent or residual BPO versus primary BPO at 3 months after surgery.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wei JT, Calhoun E, Jacobsen SJ. Urologic diseases in america project: benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2005;173:1256–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Morton A, Williams M, Perera M, Teloken PE, Donato P, Ranasinghe S, et al. Management of benign prostatic hyperplasia in the 21st century: temporal trends in Australian population-based data. BJU Int. 2020;126:18–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Gratzke C, Bachmann A, Descazeaud A, Drake MJ, Madersbacher S, Mamoulakis C, et al. EAU Guidelines on the Assessment of Non-neurogenic Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms including Benign Prostatic Obstruction. Eur Urol. 2015;67:1099–109.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Wasson JH, Bubolz TA, Lu-Yao GL, Walker-Corkery E, Hammond CS, Barry MJ. Transurethral resection of the prostate among medicare beneficiaries: 1984 to 1997. For the Patient Outcomes Research Team for Prostatic Diseases. J Urol. 2000;164:1212–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Malde S, Rajagopalan A, Patel N, Simoes A, Choi W, Shrotri N. Potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser photoselective vaporization for benign prostatic hyperplasia: 5-year follow-up from a district general hospital. J Endourol. 2012;26:878–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Madersbacher S, Lackner J, Brössner C, Röhlich M, Stancik I, Willinger M, et al. Reoperation, myocardial infarction and mortality after transurethral and open prostatectomy: a nation-wide, long-term analysis of 23,123 cases. Eur Urol. 2005;47:499–504.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Vesely S, Knutson T, Dicuio M, Damber J-E, Dahlstrand C. Transurethral microwave thermotherapy: clinical results after 11 years of use. J Endourol. 2005;19:730–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Welk B, Reid J, Ordon M, Razvi H, Campbell J. Population-based assessment of re-treatment and healthcare utilisation after photoselective vaporisation of the prostate or electrosurgical transurethral resection of the prostate. BJU Int. 2019;124:1047–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Lerner LB, McVary KT, Barry MJ, Bixler BR, Dahm P, Das AK, et al. Management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Attributed to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: AUA GUIDELINE PART II-Surgical Evaluation and Treatment. J Urol. 2021;206:818–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Huang S-W, Tsai C-Y, Tseng C-S, Shih M-C, Yeh Y-C, Chien K-L, et al. Comparative efficacy and safety of new surgical treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia: systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ. 2019;367:15919.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ et al. (editors). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. 2nd Edition. Chichester (UK): John Wiley & Sons; 2019.

  12. Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021;372:n71.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Guyatt GH, Oxman AD, Vist GE, Kunz R, Falck-Ytter Y, Alonso-Coello P, et al. GRADE: An emerging consensus on rating quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. BMJ. 2008;336:924–6.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Sterne JA, Hernán MA, Reeves BC, Savović J, Berkman ND, Viswanathan M, et al. ROBINS-I: A tool for assessing risk of bias in non-randomised studies of interventions. BMJ (Online). 2016;355:i4919. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i4919.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Han JL, Gandhi S, Bockoven CG, Narayan VM, Dahm P. The landscape of systematic reviews in urology (1998 to 2015): an assessment of methodological quality. BJU Int. 2017;119:638–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Higgins JPT, Thompson SG, Deeks JJ, Altman DG. Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses. Br Med J. 2003;327:557–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Becker B, Netsch C, Glybochko P, Rapoport L, Taratkin M. A Feasibility Study Utilizing the Thulium and Holmium Laser in Patients for the Treatment of Recurrent Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia after Previous Prostatic Surgery. Urologia Internationalis. 2018;101:212–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Das A, Han TM, Rudnick B, Hardacker T, Shenot PJ. Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate Following Previous Prostatic Urethral Lift. J Endourol. 2022;36:111–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Elshal AM, Elmansy HM, Elhilali MM. Feasibility of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for recurrent/residual benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BJU Int. 2012;110:E845–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Gnessin E, Miller NL, Handa SE. Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) as re-treatment following prior BPH intervention. J Endourol. 2010;24:A207–A207.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Jaeger CD, Krambeck AE. Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for persistent lower urinary tract symptoms after prior benign prostatic hyperplasia surgery. Urology. 2013;81:1025–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Knoedler M, Manakas C, Eifler A. Efficient holmium laser enucleation of the prostate can be performed after prostatic artery Embolization for massive prostate glands (> 250 Grams). J Endourol. 2021;35:A160–A161.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Li P, Wang C, Cao Q, Zhang J, Shi H, Meng X, et al. Prostatic Arterial Embolization Followed by Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate as a Planned Combined Approach for Extremely Enlarged Benign Prostate Hyperplasia. Urologia Internationalis. 2017;99:422–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Marien T, Kadihasanoglu M, Tangpaitoon T, York N, Blackburne AT, Abdul-Muhsin H, et al. Outcomes of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate in the Re-Treatment Setting. J Urol. 2017;197:1517–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. McAdams S, Funk JT, Navetta AF, El Tayeb MM, Humphreys MR. Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate after Prostatic Urethral Lift Surgery: Feasibility and Technical Considerations from a Multi-Institutional Case Series. J Endourol. 2017;31:774–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Oh JK, Bae J, Jeong CW, Paick J-S, Oh S-J. Salvage Holmium laser enucleation of prostate to treat residual benign prostatic hyperplasia. Can Urological Assoc J = J de l’Assoc des Urologues du Can. 2014;8:E235–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Parmar M, Katz JE, Blachman-Braun R, Smith NA, Oneto SM, Bhatia S, et al. Safety and efficacy of holmium laser enucleation of prostate as salvage procedure for persistent or recurrent lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to bladder outlet obstruction after prior prostate artery embolization: a match analysis. World J Urol. 2021;39:4199–206.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Pickens R, Krambeck A, Humphreys M. Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HOLEP) outcomes in patients with prior benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) surgery. J Endourol. 2013;27:A68–A68.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Shah H, Shah R HS. Prospective study comparing safety and efficacy of HoLEP for recurrent BPH after initial TURP. J Urol. 2017;197:e329–e330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Sharma A. It’s not harder the second time around!!! HoLEP for persistent bladder outlet obstruction after TURP. BJU Int. 2016;117:20–1.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Warner JN, Nunez R, Martin GL, Nakamura LY. Evaluation of functional outcomes after holep on patients status post prior surgical therapy for BPH. J Endourol. 2010;24:A206–A206.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Gupta AK, Gupta S, Pradhan P, Gite R. Efficacy of tamsulosin in persistent obstructive voiding symptoms after transurethral surgery of prostate: a double blind placebo-controlled prospective study. Indian J Urol. 2016;32(Suppl 1):S38–S165.

  33. Gilfrich C, May M, Fahlenbrach C, Günster C, Jeschke E, Popken G, et al. Surgical Reintervention Rates after Invasive Treatment for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms due to Benign Prostatic Syndrome: A Comparative Study of More than 43,000 Patients with Long-Term Followup. J Urol. 2021;205:855–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Chen W, Goh N. Recurrent prostate adenoma: Clinical presentations and management. BJU Int. 2014;113:14.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Zhang Y, Yuan P, Ma D, Gao X, Wei C, Liu Z, et al. Efficacy and safety of enucleation vs. resection of prostate for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2019;22:493–508.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Ibrahim A, Alharbi M, Elhilali MM, Aubé M, Carrier S. 18 Years of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: A Single Center Experience. J Urol. 2019;202:795–800.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Haraguchi T, Takenaka A, Yamazaki T, Nakano Y, Miyake H, Tanaka K, et al. The relationship between the reproducibility of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and prostate size over the learning curve. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2009;12:281–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Placer J, Gelabert-Mas A, Vallmanya F, Manresa JM, Menéndez V, Cortadellas R, et al. Holmium laser enucleation of prostate: outcome and complications of self-taught learning curve. Urology. 2009;73:1042–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Elkoushy MA, Elshal AM, Elhilali MM. Reoperation After Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate for Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Assessment of Risk Factors with Time to Event Analysis. J Endourol. 2015;29:797–804.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Krambeck AE, Handa SE, Lingeman JE. Experience with more than 1000 holmium laser prostate enucleations for benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2013;189:S141–145.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Bhat A, Blachman-Braun R, Herrmann TRW, Shah HN. Are all procedures for benign prostatic hyperplasia created equal? A systematic review on post-procedural PSA dynamics and its correlation with relief of bladder outlet obstruction. World J Urol. 2022;40:889–905.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Xu Z-W, Tian W, Zhou C-G, Leng B, Shi H-B, Liu S. Prostatic Artery Embolization for the Treatment of Recurrent Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms following Transurethral Resection of the Prostate. J Vasc Interven Radiol. 2021;32:242–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Te AE, Cho A, Chughtai BI. How I Handle Retreatment of LUTS Following a Failed MIST. Curr Urol Rep. 2021;22:40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Wong C, Spaliviero M, Strom K. Greenlight hpsTM laser Photoselective Vaporization Prostatectomy (PVP) for failed prior surgical treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Urology. 2009;74:S313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

All authors participated in the drafting, writing, and editing of the paper.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Petros Sountoulides.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary information

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pyrgidis, N., Mykoniatis, I., Lusuardi, L. et al. Enucleation of the prostate as retreatment for recurrent or residual benign prostatic obstruction: a systematic review and a meta-analysis. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 26, 693–701 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41391-023-00677-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41391-023-00677-z

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links