Urethral Complications Post-Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: A Seven-Year Experience.

Background

Urethral strictures (US) and bladder neck contracture (BNC) are troublesome complications of transurethral surgery. We aimed to report the incidence, risk factors, and management of US and BNC post-holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) together with review of literature. Patients and

Methods

A retrospective review of prospectively managed HoLEP patients in one institution between 2015 and 2021 was performed. The study included patients with complete follow-up of at least 1-year. Multivariate regression analysis for risk factors of US or BNC was performed. Appropriate statistical analysis methods were used.

Results

Out of total 1055 HoLEP patients, 566 patients were included. Eleven (1.94%), 8 (1.41%), and 1 (0.17%) patients developed US, BNC, and both, respectively, while 8 (1.41%) patients had postoperative recurrence of intraoperatively diagnosed US. With multivariate regression analysis, intraoperative US (p = 0.0055, odds ratio [OR] = 15.5, confidence interval [95% CI] = 2.2-37.7), intraoperative need for meatotomy (p = 0.0019, OR = 7.69, 95% CI = 2.12-27.8), and longer operative time (p = 0.0250, OR = 1.043, 95% CI = 1.005-1.083) were predictors of US/BNC. For US patients, urethral dilatation under local anesthesia was sufficient in 14 (70%) patients while 6 (30%) patients had visual urethrotomy. Patients with BNC were managed by endoscopic bladder neck incision.

Conclusion

Although the US/BNC are annoying long-term sequalae that may complicate HoLEP, the incidence is still low and can be easily managed. Diagnosed intraoperative stricture, need for meatotomy, and longer operative time are the main predictors of urethral complications post-HoLEP.