Optimal interval for delayed retrieval surgery with reciprocating morcellators after enucleation of giant prostatic hyperplasia in holmium laser enucleation of the prostate

Objective:The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficiency of reciprocating morcellation for removing giant benign prostatic hyperplasia during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate,investigate whether performing morcellation as a two-stage procedure improves tissue retrieval efficiency,and seek to determine the optimal interval between the two surgeries.Methods:This study included nine cases of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate with an enucleated prostate weight exceeding 200 g,indicative of substantial prostate enlargement.Morcellation was performed on Day 0(n=4),Day 4(n=1),Day 6(n=1),and Day 7(n=3).The intervals were compared regarding the morcellation efficiency,beach ball presence,and pathology.Results:The mean estimated prostate volume was 383(range 330e528)mL;the median enucleation weight was 252(interquartile range[IQR]222,342)g;and the median enucleation time was 83(IQR 62,100)min.The mean morcellation efficiency was 1.44(SD 0.55)g/min on Day 0 and 13.69(SD 2.46)g/min on day 7.The morcellation efficiency was 4.15 g/min and 10.50 g/min on Day 4 and Day 6,respectively,with significantly higher in the two-stage group compared to one-stage group(11.0 g/min vs.1.5 g/min;p=0.014).Efficiency was strongly correlated with intervals(p<0.001);the incidences of beach balls were 100%(4/4)and 60%(3/5)in the immediate and two-stage surgery groups,respectively.Conclusion:The efficiency of two-stage morcellation with reciprocating morcellators was highly related to the postoperative interval,with the maximum efficiency reached on Day 7.

Ureteroscopy with Holmium: YAG Laser—A Initial Study in the Urology Department of the Pr Bocar Sidy Sall University Hospital of Kati

Introduction: Ureteroscopy is a minimally invasive endoscopic surgery which provides access to the ureter, pyelon and calyceal cavities via the urethra and the bladder. Laser ureteroscopy uses the laser as an energy source to treat the stone and eliminate it naturally. Minimally invasive endoscopic methods are struggling to become popular in sub-Saharan African countries, especially for the upper urinary tract. The objective of our work was to report the results of our first laser ureteroscopy experience in the department. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective and descriptive study running from December 1, 2023 to February 19, 2024. Included in our study was any case of upper urinary tract stone operated by Laser ureteroscopy. The characteristics of the lithiasis were determined by CT scan. Sterilization of urine was verified by carrying out a cytobacteriological examination of urine. Ureteral lithiasis was approached by semi-rigid ureteroscopy. Renal lithiasis was immediately addressed by flexible ureteroscopy. Ureteroscopy was coupled with a Holmium YAG laser. A double J ureteral catheter was placed after the operation. A 230 µm laser fiber was used in each case with a generator with a power of 35 watts (Storz Calculase III type). An access sheath was used in all cases of flexible ureteroscopy. The parameters studied were: sociodemographic characteristics, lithiasis (site, size, number, density, topography), type of anesthesia, duration of laser use, duration of intervention, postoperative outcomes. Data entry and analysis were carried out using the software (Word 2016 and SPSS). Result: We collected 30 cases of laser ureteroscopy. The average age was 37 years with extremes of 9 and 79 years. The male gender was more represented. The most common age group was 24-39 years old. Renal colic was the most frequent reason for admission, 12 patients (40%). On physical examination, lumbar tenderness was present in 47% (14 patients). ECBU was positive in 4 patients (13%). CT scan was performed in all our patients before the intervention. The average stone size was 12 mm and the largest was 23 mm. The majority of stones, i.e. 59% (18 patients), had a density greater than 1000 HU. The stone was unique in 19 patients (63%). The location of the stone was pyelic in 8 patients or 27%. An impact on the upper urinary tract was found in 16 of our patients or 53%. General anesthesia was used in 25 patients (83%). A digital flexible ureteroscopy was used in 24 patients and a semi-rigid ureteroscopy (URS) in 6 patients. Full-course fragmentation was the most used therapeutic method, 9 patients or 32%. The average duration of interventions was 61 minutes. Drainage by double J catheter at the end of the procedure was performed in all our patients. The length of hospitalization was 24 hours. Only one case of failure in the USSR was recorded, and one case of failure was in the semi-rigid URS. Conclusion: Laser ureteroscopy is an effective minimally invasive surgery in the management of lithiasis of the upper urinary tract. It significantly reduces the length of hospitalization. Mastery of this technique and the acquisition of the equipment necessary for its implementation is an undeniable asset in the management of renal and ureteral lithiasis.

Coagulation of a giant hemangioma in glans penis with holmium laser

A 21-year-old man presented with an enlarged giant hemangioma on glans penis which also causes an erectile dysfunction （ED） that partially responded to the intracavernous injection stimulation test. Although the findings in magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） indicated a glandular hemangioma, penile colored Doppler ultrasound revealed an invaded cavernausal hemangioma to the glans. Surgical excision was avoided according to the broad extension of the gland lesion. Holmium laser coagulation was applied to the lesion due to the cosmetically concerns. However, the cosmetic results after holmium laser application was not impressive as expected without an improvement in intracavernous injection stimulation test. In conclusion, holmium laser application should not be used to the hemangiomas of glans penis related to the corpus cavernosum, but further studies are needed to reveal the effects of holmium laser application in small hemangiomas restricted to the glans penis.

A method for reducing thermal injury during the ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy

Objective:Many studies have demonstrated the heat effect from the holmium laser lithotripsy can cause persistent thermal injury to the ureter.The purpose of this study was to elucidate the use of a modified ureteral catheter with appropriate firing and irrigation to reduce the thermal injury to the“ureter”during the ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy in vitro.Methods:An in vitro lithotripsy was performed using a modified catheter(5 Fr)as the entrance for the irrigation and the holmium laser fiber while using the remaining space in the ureteroscopic channel as an outlet.Different laser power settings(10 W,20 W,and 30 W)with various firing times(3 s,5 s,and 10 s)and rates of irrigation(15 mL/min,20 mL/min,and 30 mL/min)were applied in the experiment.Temperature changes in the“ureter”were recorded with a thermometer during and after the lithotripsy.Results:During the lithotripsy,the local highest mean temperature was 60.3℃ and the lowest mean temperature was 26.7℃.When the power was set to 10 w,the temperature was maintained below 43℃ regardless of laser firing time or irrigation flow.Regardless of the power or firing time selected,the temperature was below 43℃ at the rate of 30 mL/min.There was a significant difference in temperature decrease when continuous 3 s drainage after continuous firing(3 s,5 s,or 10 s)compared to with not drainage(p<0.05)except for two conditions of 0.5 J×20 Hz,30 mL/min,firing 5 s,and 1.0 J×10 Hz,30 mL/min,firing 5 s.Conclusion:Our modified catheter with timely drainage reducing hot irrigation may significantly reduce the local thermal injury effect,especially along with the special interrupted-time firing setting during the simulated holmium laser procedure.

Ureteroscopic Holmium:YAG Laser Lithotripsy for Managing Ureteral Calculi (A Report of 168 Cases)

Summary: The effectiveness and safety of ureteroscopic holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy for managing ureteral calculi was evaluated. Ureteroscopic holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy was performed in 168 ureteral calculi (upper 27 cases, middle 33 cases and lower 108 cases). The results showed that the stone-free rate was 92.6 % in the upper ureteral calculi, 93.9 % in the middle ureteral calculi and 94.4 % in the lower ureteral calculi, respectively. The complication rate was 4.8 % (8 cases). It was suggested that ureteroscopic holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy is a highly effective and safe treatment modality for managing ureteral calculi.

Treatment of Special Renal Colic with Ureteroscope and Holmium YAG Laser

Objective To investigate the method of emergent relief of special renal colic and treatment of ureter diseases causing renal colic. Methods By analyzing 63 cases of special renal colic treated with ureteroscope and Holmium YAG laser. Results 61 cases of renal colic were relieved in a short period of time and the original ureter diseases causing renal colic were cured. Conclusion Special renal colic could be treated with ureteroscope and Holmium YAG laser in a quick and effective manner.

Primary prostate Burkitt's lymphoma resected with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate:A rare case report

BACKGROUND Primary prostate Burkitt's lymphoma is a rare and aggressive condition with a poor prognosis.Its clinical presentation can be challenging to differentiate from benign prostatic hyperplasia.Given the rarity of primary prostate Burkitt's lymphoma,its diagnosis and treatment remain unclear.CASE SUMMARY This report presents a case of a 57-year-old male with primary prostate Burkitt's lymphoma,initially misdiagnosed as prostatic hyperplasia.This case's operative process,intraoperative findings and postoperative management are discussed in detail.CONCLUSION Primary prostate lymphoma is difficult to distinguish from other prostate diseases.Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate(HoLEP),a minimally invasive procedure,is crucial in diagnosing and treating this rare disease.Clinicians should remain vigilant and thoroughly combine physical examination,imaging and test results when encountering patients of younger age with small prostate size but a rapid progression of lower urinary tract symptoms.HoLEP is an essential diagnostic and therapeutic tool in managing primary prostate Burkitt's lymphoma.

Analysis of the effect of holmium laser flexible ureteroscopic intrapelvic drainage in the treatment of parapelvic renal cysts

Objective:To explore the efficacy,safety,and feasibility of holmium laser flexible ureteroscopic intrapelvic drainage in the treatment of parapelvic renal cysts.Methods:From September 2012 to February 2019,a total of 18 patients,aged from 28 to 62(meanstandard deviation[SD]:46.50±9.14)years,were diagnosed with parapelvic renal cysts and treated by holmium laser flexible ureteroscopic intrapelvic drainage.There were 10 males and eight females.All of the parapelvic renal cysts were unilateral,and two cases were complicated with pyelolithiasis.The diameters of the cysts ranged from 4.1 cm to 8.2 cm.Results:All the patients completed the operation successfully in one stage without conversion to open surgery;in two cases,it was difficult to find the cysts during the operation,and the localization was completed by B-ultrasound and percutaneous injection of methylene blue.The mean operative time was 33.89(SD:9.68;range:22-54)min,and the mean hospitalization time was 2.67(SD:0.91;range:2-5)days.Three months and 6 months of follow-up were performed after surgery.The cysts disappeared in 13(72%)cases,and the diameter of the cysts in five(28%)cases decreased by more than 50%.Conclusion:Holmium laser flexible ureteroscopic intrapelvic drainage in the treatment of parapelvic renal cysts is simple,safe,and effective,and can be used as the first choice for the treatment of parapelvic renal cysts.

Ureteroscopic holmium laser to transect the greater omentum to remove an abdominal drain:Four case reports

BACKGROUND Drainage tube removal is difficult when the greater omentum becomes incarcerated in the drainage tube through the side holes.Currently,known removal methods are either ineffective or will cause additional damage to the patient in a secondary operation.Ureteroscopy and the holmium laser have been used in various surgical techniques in urology,and in theory,they are expected to be a good strategy for solving the problem of tissue incarceration.CASE SUMMARY Four patients diagnosed with difficult removal of an abdominal drainage tube following abdominal surgery are reported.All patients underwent surgery to remove the incarcerated greater omentum in the drainage tube using a holmium laser and a ureteroscope,and a new 16-F drain was then placed in the abdominal or pelvic cavity.The efficacy of this technique was evaluated by intraoperative conditions,success rate,and operating time;safety was evaluated by perioperative conditions and the probability of postoperative complications.All four operations went smoothly,and the drains were successfully removed in all patients.The average operating time was 24.5 min.Intraoperatively,the average irrigation volume was 892.0 mL,the average drainage volume was 638.5 mL,and no bleeding or damage to surrounding tissues was observed.Postoperatively,the average drainage volume was 32.8 mL and the new drains were removed within 36 h.All patients were able to get out of bed and move around within 12 h.Their visual analogue pain scores were all below 3.The average follow-up duration was 12.5 mo and no complications such as fever or bleeding were noted.CONCLUSION Ureteroscopic holmium laser surgery is an effective,safe and minimally invasive technique for removing drains where the greater omentum is incarcerated in the abdominal drain.

Search trends in the treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia:A twenty-year analysis

ObjectiveMinimally invasive treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have seen an increase in usage in recent years. We aimed to determine what types of events may influence patient search habits related to surgical BPH treatments.MethodsGoogle Trends was used to determine the frequency of searches for different minimally invasive and prostatic ablative treatments for BPH in the United States. The procedures including transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), Aquablation therapy (Aquablation), Greenlight laser therapy (Greenlight), transurethral needle ablation, transurethral microwave thermotherapy, Urolift (prostatic urethral lift [PUL]), Rezum, iTind, holmium laser enucleation of the prostate, simple prostatectomy, and prostatic artery embolization were compared.ResultsFrom January 1, 2004 to February 28, 2023, the number of internet search queries have increased for TURP, PUL, Rezum, prostatic artery embolization, and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate. There has been a slight decrease in searches for Greenlight, transurethral needle ablation, transurethral microwave thermotherapy, iTind, simple prostatectomy, and Aquablation.ConclusionDespite increased searches of alternatives, TURP remains the most searched BPH procedure. Additionally, search habits may be influenced by several factors including government approval, corporate acquisition, and marketing campaigns. It is important for physicians to understand the types of events that may cause patients to inquire about certain treatments for better quality health information and clinical visits.

Thulium laser treatment for bladder cancer

Recent innovations in thulium laser techniques have allowed application in the treatment of bladder cancer.Laser en bloc resection of bladder cancer is a transurethral procedure that may offer an alternative to the conventional transurethral resection procedure.We conducted a review of basic thulium laser physics and laser en bloc resection procedures and summarized the current clinical literature with a focus on complications and outcomes.Literature evidence suggests that thulium laser techniques including smooth incision,tissue vaporization,and en bloc resection represent feasible,safe,and effective procedures in the treatment of bladder cancer.Moreover,these techniques allow improved specimen orientation and accurate determination of invasion depth,facilitating correct diagnosis,restaging,and reevaluation of the need for a second resection.Nonetheless,large-scale multicentre studies with longer follow-up are warranted for a robust assessment.The present review is meant as a quick reference for urologists.

''Sandwich'' treatment for diospyrobezoar intestinal obstruction: A case report

Intestinal obstruction is a common clinical entity encountered in surgical practice.The objective of this report is to corroborate an atypical scenario of intestinal obstruction in a Chinese patient and to focus on the diagnosis and treatment.A 27-year-old male presented with a history of gastric pain combined with nausea and abdominal distension that had been present for 5 d.The presence of a foreign body was detected by computed tomography and observed as an abnormal density within the stomach.A diospyrobezoar was revealed during gastroscopy,the extraction of which was preventeddue to its size and firmness.An endoscopic holmium laser joined with a snare was used to fragment the obstruction,which was followed by management with a conservative"sandwich"treatment strategy involving intestinal decompression with an ileus tube and Coca-Cola lavage between endoscopic lithotripsy fragmentation procedures.This strategy resulted in the successful removal of the diospyrobezoar along with multiple small bowel obstructions.The patient was discharged after abatement of symptoms.The case presented here demonstrates the implementation of a conservative,yet successful,treatment as an alternative to conventional surgical removal of intestinal obstructions.

Management of urethral strictures and stenosis caused by the endo-urological treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasiad-a single-center experience

Objective:Urethral stricture disease after endo-urological treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)is a sparsely described complication.We describe management of five categories of these strictures in this retrospective observational case series.Methods:One hundred and twenty-one patients presenting with symptoms of bladder outflow obstruction after endo-urological intervention for BPH from February 2016 to March 2019 were evaluated.Among them,76 were eligible for this study and underwent reconstructive surgery.Preoperative and postoperative assessments were done with symptom scores,uroflowmetry,ultrasound for post-void residue,and urethrogram.Any intervention during follow-up was classed as a failure.The recurrence and 95%confidence interval for recurrence percentage were calculated.Results:The following five categories of patients were identified:Bulbo-membranous(33[43.4%]),navicular fossa(21[27.6%]),penile/peno-bulbar(8[10.5%]),bladder neck stenosis(6[7.9%]),and multiple locations(8[10.5%]).The average age was 69 years(range:60-84 years).Overall average symptom score,flow rate,and post-void residue changed from 21 to 7,6 mL/s to 19 mL/s,and 210 mL to 20 mL,respectively.The average follow-up was 34 months(range:12-58 months).Overall recurrence and complication rates were 10.5%and 9.2%,respectively.The recurrence in each category was seen in 3,1,2,1,and 1 patient,respectively.Overall 95% confidence interval for recurrence percentage was 4.66-19.69.Conclusion:Urethral stricture disease is a major long-term complication of endo-urological treatment of BPH.The bulbo-membranous strictures need continence preserving approach.Navicular fossa strictures require minimally invasive and cosmetic consideration.Peno-bulbar strictures require judicious use of grafts and flaps.Bladder neck stenosis in this cohort could be treated with endoscopic measures.Multiple locations need treatment based on their sites in single-stage as far as possible.

Intraluminal Lithotripsy with Rigid Ureteroscopy for Proximal and Distal Ureteral Stones: Results of a Single Center in Cameroon

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intraluminal lithotripsy with a pneumatic lithotripter (EMS, Switzerland) and laser Holmium YAG in retrograde rigid ureteroscopy for proximal and distal ureteric calculi. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out from January 2015 to December 2019 including 175 patients with ureteric calculi who presented with ureteric colic at a mini-invasive surgical urological center in Douala, Cameroon. All the patients underwent retrograde ureteroscopy with a 7F rigid ureteroscope, and fragmentation was done with either a pneumatic lithotripter or a laser holmium YAG. Six patients who had urinary tract infection benefited from double J stent placement before retrograde ureteroscopy. The study variables included age, clinical symptoms, size and location of the stone, the type of lithotripsy, operating time, and the results of lithotripsy. Results: We included a total of 175 patients with a mean age of 40.95 ± 12.50 years. Seventy-six (43.43%) of our participants were females and all patients had at least one calculus confirmed by a CT scan. Stone sizes ranged from 5 - 26 mm (median of 12 mm). Fifteen (8.57%) stones were located in the upper ureter (pyeloureteric junction), 64 in the middle ureter, 20 in the iliac ureter, 43 in the pelvic ureter, and 33 at the vesico-ureteric orifice. The success rate was 100% for stones located in the iliac ureter, pelvic ureter and the ureteric orifice. For those in the middle and upper ureter, the success rate was 92.18% and 60%, respectively. Conclusion: Rigid ureteroscopy is an excellent treatment modality for ureteral calculi, especially those located at the distal part of the ureter. The procedure is associated with a shorter operation time and a shorter post-operative hospitalization period, in addition to its safety and effectiveness compared to open surgery.

Bouveret syndrome masquerading as a gastric mass-unmasked with endoscopic luminal laser lithotripsy:A case report

BACKGROUND Bouveret syndrome,also known as gallstone ileus,is a rare form of gastric outlet obstruction accounting for 1%-3%of cases.This condition is most often reported in females.The diagnosis can be challenging and is often missed due to atypical presentations,which occasionally mimic gastric outlet obstruction symptoms such as nausea,vomiting,loss of appetite and hematemesis.The symptoms vary with stone size.Larger stones are managed with a surgical approach,but this carries increased morbidity and mortality.Over the past decade,the endoscopic approach has emerged as an alternative mode of treatment,but it is generally unsuccessful in the management of larger-sized stones.A literature review revealed cases of successful endoscopic treatment requiring multiple sessions for stone sizes measuring up to about 4.5 cm.Here we present a unique case of an elderly patient with Bouveret syndrome with a 5 cm stone mimicking a gastric mass and causing gastric outlet obstruction,who was successfully managed in a single session using a complete endoscopic approach with laser lithotripsy.CASE SUMMARY An 85-year-old female patient presented with 1-month history of intermittent abdominal pain,vomiting,decreased appetite and weight loss.An abdominal computed tomography showed a 4.5 cm×4.7 cm partially calcified mass at the gastric pylorus causing gastric outlet obstruction.Endoscopy showed an ulcerated fistulous opening and a large 5 cm impacted gallstone in the duodenal bulb.Endoscopic nets and baskets were used in an attempt to remove the stone,but this approach was unsuccessful.Given her advanced age,poor physical condition and underlying comorbidities,she was deemed to be high-risk for surgery.Thus,a minimally invasive approach using endoscopic laser lithotripsy was attempted and successfully treated the stone.Post-procedure,the patient experienced complete resolution of her symptoms with no complications and was able to tolerate her diet.She was subsequently discharged home at 48 h,with an uneventful recovery.CONCLUSION In our paper we describe Bouveret syndrome and highlight its management with a novel endoscopic approach of laser lithotripsy in addition to various other endoscopic approaches available to date and its success rates.

Thulium fiber laser lithotripsy:Is it living up to the hype?

Objective:The holmium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser(Ho:YAG)has been the gold standard for laser lithotripsy over the last three decades.After demonstrating good in vitro efficacy,the thulium fiber laser(TFL)has been recently released in the market and the initial clinical results are encouraging.This article aims to review the main technology differences between the Ho:YAG laser and the TFL,discuss the initial clinical results with the TFL as well as the optimal settings for TFL lithotripsy.Methods:We reviewed the literature focusing on the technological aspects of the Ho:YAG laser and TFL as well as the results of in vitro and in vivo studies comparing both technologies.Results:In vitro studies show a technical superiority of TFL compared to the Ho:YAG laser and encouraging results have been demonstrated in clinical practice.However,as TFL is a new technology,limited studies are currently available,and the optimal settings for lithotripsy are not yet established.Conclusion:TFL has the potential to be an alternative to the Ho:YAG laser,but more reports are still needed to determine the optimal laser for lithotripsy of urinary tract stones when considering all parameters including effectiveness,safety,and costs.

Predictive Factors for a Successful Day Case Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Surgery: A Review

Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one among the foremost common diseases affecting the aging man with, almost 80% of the lads greater than 70 affected. BPH is caused by unregulated proliferation within the prostate, which may cause physical obstruction of the prostatic urethra and result in anatomic bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has been the historical gold standard up till now to which all endoscopic procedures for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are compared with a mean hospital stay of three days. This surgery although efficacious has been related with increased morbidity and increased day case failure rates as compared to newer techniques. These shortcomings have prompted the utilization of newer methods like Transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate (TUERP), Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and Thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP). This review will discuss the enucleation techniques, advantages and therefore the predictive factors for a successful day case prostate surgery. Materials and Methods: During this review, we discuss the newer techniques utilized in day case BPH surgery as well as the predictive factors for a successful BPH surgery, both enucleation, benefits and morcellation are covered also. Results: TUERP, ThuLEP and HoLEP have literature supporting the advantages of these techniques, which demonstrates its ability in day case BPH surgeries in specially selected cases with favorable factors and a 61% overall success rate. Conclusion: TUERP, ThuLEP and HoLEP Have proven to show favorable outcomes in day case BPH surgery with urologist’s experience, prostate size, duration of operation, age, use of anticoagulants, morning theatre list and ASA score being the key factors for a successful day case surgery.

Efficacy and Safety of 120-W Thulium：Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Vapoenucleation of Prostates Compared with Holmium Laser Enucleation of Prostates for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Background： This study compared the efficacy and safety between 120-W thulium：yttrium-aluminum-garnet （Tm：YAG） vapoenucleation of prostates （ThuVEP） and holmium laser enucleation of prostates （HoLEP） for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms （LUTS） due to benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH）. Methods： A retrospective analysis of 88 consecutive patients with symptomatic BPH was carried out, who underwent either 120-W ThuVEP or HoLEP nonrandomly. Patient demographics and peri-operative and 12-month follow-up data were analyzed with the International Prostate Symptom Score （IPSS）, quality of life （QoL） score, maximum flow rate （Qmax）, postvoid residual urine volume （PVR）＋ and rates of peri-operative and late complications. Results： The patients in each group showed no significant difference in preoperative parameters. Compared with the HoLEP group, patients in the 120-W ThuVEP group required significantly shorter time for laser enucleation （58.3 ± 12.8 min vs. 70.5 ± 22.3 min, P = 0.003）, and resulted in a significant superiority in laser efficiency （resected prostate weight/laser enucleation time） for 120-W Tm：YAG laser compared to holmium：YAG laser （0.69 ± 0.18 vs. 0.61 ± 0.19, P = 0.048）. During 1, 6, and 12 months of follow-ups, the procedures did not demonstrate a significant difference in IPSS, QoL score, Qmax, or PVR （P 〉 0.05）. Mean peri-operative decrease of hemoglobin in the HoLEP group was similar to the ThuVEP group （ 17.1 ± 12.0 g/L vs. 15.2± 10.1 g/L, P = 0.415）. Early and late incidences of complications were low and did not differ significantly between the two groups of 120-W ThuVEP and HoLEP patients （P 〉 0.05）. Conclusions： 120-W ThuVEP and HoLEP are potent, safe and efficient modalities of minimally invasive surgeries for patients with LUTS due to BPH. Compared with HoLEP, 120-W TbuVEP offers advantages of reduction of laser enucleation time and improvement of laser efficiency.

Ureteroscopic lithotripsy using holmium laser for 187 patients with proximal ureteral stones

Background Improving the success rate of ureteroscopic lithotripsy for proximal ureteral stones is the hot issue in this field. Here we reported our experience on the treatment of proximal ureteral stones.Methods From 2005 to 2010, 187 consecutive patients with proximal ureteral stones who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy were enrolled. The initial 52 patients treated by semi-rigid ureteroscope alone were classified as group 1. The subsequent 135 patients treated by semi-rigid ureteroscope with the aid of stone basket and flexible ureteroscope were classified as group 2.Results In group 1, the overall stone-free rate was 67.3%. By a single procedure of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using a semi-rigid instrument, patients with ureteral stones below the 4th lumbar vertebra level achieved 91.7% stone-free rate, which was only 50% in patients with stones above the 4th lumbar vertebra level. Conversion to open surgery occurred in two patients since ureteral perforation was observed. In group 2, the stone-free rate achieved 93.2% with the aid of an N-Trap basket, which was significantly higher than that of patients without the aid of the basket （51.6%）. Flexible ureteroscope was subsequently used in patients with fragment migration, thus making the overall success rate in group 2 increases to 97.0%.Conclusions Ureteroscopic lithotripsy is a safe and efficacious treatment for proximal ureteral stones. A single procedure of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using semi-rigid ureteroscope could achieve a satisfactory stone-free rate in patients with proximal ureteral stones below the 4th lumbar vertebra level. However, patients with ureteral stones above the 4th lumbar vertebra level experienced higher stone-migration rate, which would decrease the success rate. Fortunately, the stone-free state could possibly be achieved with the aid of an N-trap basket and flexible ureteroscope.

Holmium laser versus conventional transurethral resection of the bladder tumor

Background Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor （TURBT） remains the gold standard for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer （NMIBC）. Laser techniques have been widely used in urology. This analysis aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of holmium resection of the bladder tumor （HoLRBT）vs. TURBT. Methods A systemic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library as well as manual bibliography searches were performed to identify the relevant studies. The pooled estimates of operation time, obturator nerve reflex rate, bladder perforation rate, bladder irrigation rate, catheterization time, hospital stay, and one- and two-year recurrence free survivals were calculated. Results Five studies were enrolled into our meta-analysis. No significant difference was observed in the operation time between groups （weighted mean difference （WMD） 1.01, 95% confidential interval （95% CI） -3.52-5.54, P=0.66）. The significant difference in the obturator nerve reflex （OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.04, P=0.004）, bladder perforation （OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03-0.61, P=-0.009）, bladder irrigation （OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.04-0.45, P=0.001）, catheterization time （WMD -0.96, 95% C1-1.11 to-0.82, P 〈0.00001）, and hospital stay （WMD-1.46, 95% C1-1.65 to-1.27, P 〈0.00001）showed advantages of HoLRBT over TURBT. The 2-year recurrence free survival rate favors the HoLRBT group （OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.02-2.11, P=-0.04）. Conclusions As a promising technique, HoLRBT is safe and efficient, and showed several advantages over TURBT. HoLRBT can be used as an alternative procedure for TURBT in terms of low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma or low-grade early TNM-stage urothelial carcinoma.