Background: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is considered a safe and effective treatment in case of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Despite technical execution has evolved over time, from the standard three-lobes to the more recent en-bloc approaches, data comparing these two techniques are missing. The aim of the present study was to describe our en-bloc HoLEP with early apical release technique and compare peri- and postoperative results with the classical three-lobe approach in a single referral center. Materials and Methods: We prospectively analyzed all consecutive cases between 2017 and 2019 divided according to the type of approach. Patients were preoperatively studied through instrumental assessment and clinical evaluation, using validated questionnaires and then postoperatively at specific time frames. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate possible predictor of continuous variables. All the procedures were carried out by one single expert surgeon. Results: Overall, 168 patients were included, of which 81 were treated with classical three-lobes and 87 with en-bloc with early apical release technique. The two cohorts were comparable related to preoperative features and postoperative complication rate. Mean enucleation time (ET), lasing time, amount of energy delivered, and overall operative time were significantly lower in en-bloc procedures ( p < 0.05). Stepwise multivariable linear regression showed that en-bloc strategy can significantly predict shorter ET and lower energy delivered. Stress incontinence rate at 1-month follow-up was found to be significantly reduced in the en-bloc group, compared with the counterpart. Conclusions: Both techniques are effective and safe treatment options for BOO, since peri- and postoperative surgical and functional outcomes were favorable. En-bloc strategy may significantly decrease ET and the amount of energy delivered leading to a reduced early stress incontinence rate compared with the standard approach.

Grosso AA, et al. World J Mens Health. 2023 Jan;41:e6. https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.220042

Purpose: To compare the surgical outcomes of children submitted to robot-assisted reconstruction with or without drainage placement performed by a single surgeon in a tertiary referral center. Materials and Methods: Patients submitted to robot-assisted reconstruction, including pyeloplasty for ureteral pelvic junction obstruction, end-to-end anastomosis for retrocaval ureter, and reimplantation for vesical ureter reflux (VUR) from January 2016 to November 2018, were included. Patients with ureteral pelvic junction obstruction or retrocaval ureter were selected for surgery according to the presence of symptoms and/or evidence of obstruction on diagnostic imaging. The criteria for reimplantation included breakthrough urinary tract infections, progressive renal scarring, and persistent VUR despite watchful waiting. Results: Overall, 31 children composed the no drain placement (DP) group and 29 the DP group. Preoperative feature of the two groups were comparable. Overall, only 1 (3.3%) postoperative complication occurred in no DP group and 2 (6.9%) in the placement group ( P = .512). Length of stay was 3 (interquartile range [IQR]: 3–4) and 4 (IQR: 4–4) days, respectively ( P = .651). At last follow-up, overall success rate was 100% in the no DP group and 96.6% in the DP group ( P = .297). Conclusions: Robot-assisted reconstruction represents a safe minimally invasive approach with optimal surgical outcomes for the treatment of upper urinary tract. Expert robotic surgeons could avoid drainage placement after surgery as this does not undermine perioperative outcomes and postoperative success rate. Our study, first in literature, proves the interest in assessing the safety of no drainage placement also in the pediatric field.

Article: Can Rezūm stand out as the most versatile and better performing minimally invasive treatment for the management of LUTS related to BPH? - Minerva Urology and Nephrology 2022 Apr 26 - Minerva Medica - Journals