Skip to main content
Top
Published in: World Journal of Surgical Oncology 1/2003

Open Access 01-12-2003 | Technical innovations

Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP): A Technical Update

Authors: Ramsay L Kuo, Ryan F Paterson, Samuel C Kim, Tibério M Siqueira Jr, Mostafa M Elhilali, James E Lingeman

Published in: World Journal of Surgical Oncology | Issue 1/2003

Login to get access

Abstract

Introduction

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) combined with mechanical morcellation represents the latest refinement of holmium:YAG surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Utilizing this technique, even the largest of glands can be effectively treated with minimal morbidity. The learning curve remains an obstacle, preventing more widespread adoption of this procedure. This paper provides an outline of the HoLEP technique as is currently used at two centers in hopes of easing the initial learning curve.

Technical considerations

Detailed descriptions of the major steps of the HoLEP procedure are provided with attention to critical steps such as identification of the surgical capsule, median and lateral lobe enucleation, and morcellation of enucleated tissue.

Conclusions

HoLEP is a promising alternative for the surgical treatment of BPH which allows complete removal of intact lobes of the prostate. Obstruction is relieved immediately with superior hemostasis, no risk of TUR syndrome, and a minimal hospital stay.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference Kirby RS: The natural history of benign prostatic hyperplasia: what have we learned in the last decade?. Urology. 2000, 56: 3-6. 10.1016/S0090-4295(00)00747-0.CrossRefPubMed Kirby RS: The natural history of benign prostatic hyperplasia: what have we learned in the last decade?. Urology. 2000, 56: 3-6. 10.1016/S0090-4295(00)00747-0.CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Jacobsen SJ, Girman CJ, Guess HA, Rhodes T, Oesterling JE, Lieber MM: Natural history of prostatism: longitudinal changes in voiding symptoms in community dwelling men. J Urol. 1996, 155: 595-600. 10.1097/00005392-199602000-00053.CrossRefPubMed Jacobsen SJ, Girman CJ, Guess HA, Rhodes T, Oesterling JE, Lieber MM: Natural history of prostatism: longitudinal changes in voiding symptoms in community dwelling men. J Urol. 1996, 155: 595-600. 10.1097/00005392-199602000-00053.CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Grasso M: Experience with the holmium laser as an endoscopic lithotrite. Urology. 1996, 48: 199-206. 10.1016/S0090-4295(96)00158-6.CrossRefPubMed Grasso M: Experience with the holmium laser as an endoscopic lithotrite. Urology. 1996, 48: 199-206. 10.1016/S0090-4295(96)00158-6.CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Gilling PJ, Fraundorfer MR: Holmium laser prostatectomy: a technique in evolution. Clin. Opin. Urol. 1998, 8: 11-15. 10.1097/00042307-199801000-00003.CrossRef Gilling PJ, Fraundorfer MR: Holmium laser prostatectomy: a technique in evolution. Clin. Opin. Urol. 1998, 8: 11-15. 10.1097/00042307-199801000-00003.CrossRef
5.
go back to reference Chan KF, Vassar GJ, Pfefer TJ, Teichman JM, Glickman RD, Weintraub ST, Welch AJ: Holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy: A dominant photothermal ablative mechanism with chemical decomposition of urinary calculi. Lasers Surg Med. 1999, 25: 22-37. 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9101(1999)25:1<22::AID-LSM4>3.3.CO;2-Y.CrossRefPubMed Chan KF, Vassar GJ, Pfefer TJ, Teichman JM, Glickman RD, Weintraub ST, Welch AJ: Holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy: A dominant photothermal ablative mechanism with chemical decomposition of urinary calculi. Lasers Surg Med. 1999, 25: 22-37. 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9101(1999)25:1<22::AID-LSM4>3.3.CO;2-Y.CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Gilling PJ, Cass CB, Malcolm AR, Fraundorfer MR: Combination holmium and Nd:YAG laser ablation of the prostate: initial clinical experience. J Endourol. 1995, 9: 151-153.CrossRefPubMed Gilling PJ, Cass CB, Malcolm AR, Fraundorfer MR: Combination holmium and Nd:YAG laser ablation of the prostate: initial clinical experience. J Endourol. 1995, 9: 151-153.CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Kabalin JN, Gilling PJ, Fraundorfer MR: Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser prostatectomy. Mayo Clin Proc. 1998, 73: 792-797.CrossRefPubMed Kabalin JN, Gilling PJ, Fraundorfer MR: Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser prostatectomy. Mayo Clin Proc. 1998, 73: 792-797.CrossRefPubMed
8.
go back to reference Chun SS, Razvi HA, Denstedt JD: Laser prostatectomy with the holmium: YAG laser. Tech Urol. 1995, 1: 217-221.PubMed Chun SS, Razvi HA, Denstedt JD: Laser prostatectomy with the holmium: YAG laser. Tech Urol. 1995, 1: 217-221.PubMed
9.
go back to reference Gilling PJ, Cass CB, Cresswell MD, Malcolm AR, Fraundorfer MR: The use of the holmium laser in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Endourol. 1996, 10: 459-461.CrossRefPubMed Gilling PJ, Cass CB, Cresswell MD, Malcolm AR, Fraundorfer MR: The use of the holmium laser in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Endourol. 1996, 10: 459-461.CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Kabalin JN: Holmium:YAG laser prostatectomy: results of U.S. pilot study. J Endourol. 1996, 10: 453-457.CrossRefPubMed Kabalin JN: Holmium:YAG laser prostatectomy: results of U.S. pilot study. J Endourol. 1996, 10: 453-457.CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Kabalin JN: Holmium: YAG laser prostatectomy canine feasibility study. Lasers Surg Med. 1996, 18: 221-224. 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9101(1996)18:3<221::AID-LSM1>3.0.CO;2-U.CrossRefPubMed Kabalin JN: Holmium: YAG laser prostatectomy canine feasibility study. Lasers Surg Med. 1996, 18: 221-224. 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9101(1996)18:3<221::AID-LSM1>3.0.CO;2-U.CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Mottet N, Anidjar M, Bourdon O, Louis JF, Teillac P, Costa P, Le Duc A: Randomized comparison of transurethral electroresection and holmium: YAG laser vaporization for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Endourol. 1999, 13: 127-130.CrossRefPubMed Mottet N, Anidjar M, Bourdon O, Louis JF, Teillac P, Costa P, Le Duc A: Randomized comparison of transurethral electroresection and holmium: YAG laser vaporization for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Endourol. 1999, 13: 127-130.CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Gilling PJ, Cass CB, Cresswell MD, Fraundorfer MR: Holmium laser resection of the prostate: preliminary results of a new method for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urology. 1996, 47: 48-51. 10.1016/S0090-4295(99)80381-1.CrossRefPubMed Gilling PJ, Cass CB, Cresswell MD, Fraundorfer MR: Holmium laser resection of the prostate: preliminary results of a new method for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urology. 1996, 47: 48-51. 10.1016/S0090-4295(99)80381-1.CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Cresswell MD, Cass CB, Fraundorfer MR, Gilling PJ: Holmium:YAG laser resection of the prostate: preliminary experience with the first 400 cases. N Z Med J. 1997, 110: 76-78.PubMed Cresswell MD, Cass CB, Fraundorfer MR, Gilling PJ: Holmium:YAG laser resection of the prostate: preliminary experience with the first 400 cases. N Z Med J. 1997, 110: 76-78.PubMed
15.
go back to reference Gilling PJ, Kennett KM, Fraundorfer MR: Holmium laser resection v transurethral resection of the prostate: results of a randomized trial with 2 years of follow-up. J Endourol. 2000, 14: 757-760.CrossRefPubMed Gilling PJ, Kennett KM, Fraundorfer MR: Holmium laser resection v transurethral resection of the prostate: results of a randomized trial with 2 years of follow-up. J Endourol. 2000, 14: 757-760.CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Gilling PJ, Mackey M, Cresswell M, Kennett K, Kabalin JN, Fraundorfer MR: Holmium laser versus transurethral resection of the prostate: a randomized prospective trial with 1-year followup. J Urol. 1999, 162: 1640-1644. 10.1097/00005392-199911000-00018.CrossRefPubMed Gilling PJ, Mackey M, Cresswell M, Kennett K, Kabalin JN, Fraundorfer MR: Holmium laser versus transurethral resection of the prostate: a randomized prospective trial with 1-year followup. J Urol. 1999, 162: 1640-1644. 10.1097/00005392-199911000-00018.CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Kabalin JN, Mackey MJ, Cresswell MD, Fraundorfer MR, Gilling PJ: Holmium: YAG laser resection of prostate (HoLRP) for patients in urinary retention. J Endourol. 1997, 11: 291-293.CrossRefPubMed Kabalin JN, Mackey MJ, Cresswell MD, Fraundorfer MR, Gilling PJ: Holmium: YAG laser resection of prostate (HoLRP) for patients in urinary retention. J Endourol. 1997, 11: 291-293.CrossRefPubMed
18.
go back to reference Matsuoka K, Iida S, Tomiyasu K, Shimada A, Noda S: Transurethral holmium laser resection of the prostate. J Urol. 2000, 163: 515-518.CrossRefPubMed Matsuoka K, Iida S, Tomiyasu K, Shimada A, Noda S: Transurethral holmium laser resection of the prostate. J Urol. 2000, 163: 515-518.CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Matsuoka K, Iida S, Tomiyasu K, Shimada A, Suekane S, Noda S: Holmium laser resection of the prostate. J Endourol. 1998, 12: 279-282.CrossRefPubMed Matsuoka K, Iida S, Tomiyasu K, Shimada A, Suekane S, Noda S: Holmium laser resection of the prostate. J Endourol. 1998, 12: 279-282.CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Mackey MJ, Chilton CP, Gilling PJ, Fraundorfer M, Cresswell MD: The results of holmium laser resection of the prostate. Br J Urol. 1998, 81: 518-519. 10.1046/j.1464-410x.1998.00618.x.CrossRefPubMed Mackey MJ, Chilton CP, Gilling PJ, Fraundorfer M, Cresswell MD: The results of holmium laser resection of the prostate. Br J Urol. 1998, 81: 518-519. 10.1046/j.1464-410x.1998.00618.x.CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Gan E, Costello A, Slavin J, Stillwell RG: Pitfalls in the diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinoma from holmium resection of the prostate. Tech Urol. 2000, 6: 185-188.PubMed Gan E, Costello A, Slavin J, Stillwell RG: Pitfalls in the diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinoma from holmium resection of the prostate. Tech Urol. 2000, 6: 185-188.PubMed
22.
go back to reference Fraundorfer MR, Gilling PJ: Holmium:YAG laser enucleation of the prostate combined with mechanical morcellation: preliminary results. Eur Urol. 1998, 33: 69-72. 10.1159/000019535.CrossRefPubMed Fraundorfer MR, Gilling PJ: Holmium:YAG laser enucleation of the prostate combined with mechanical morcellation: preliminary results. Eur Urol. 1998, 33: 69-72. 10.1159/000019535.CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Moody JA, Lingeman JE: Holmium laser enucleation for prostate adenoma greater than 100 gm.: comparison to open prostatectomy. J Urol. 2001, 165: 459-462. 10.1097/00005392-200102000-00025.CrossRefPubMed Moody JA, Lingeman JE: Holmium laser enucleation for prostate adenoma greater than 100 gm.: comparison to open prostatectomy. J Urol. 2001, 165: 459-462. 10.1097/00005392-200102000-00025.CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Hochreiter WW, Thalmann GN, Burkhard FC, Studer UE: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate combined with electrocautery resection: the mushroom technique. J Urol. 2002, 168: 1470-1474. 10.1097/00005392-200210010-00040.CrossRefPubMed Hochreiter WW, Thalmann GN, Burkhard FC, Studer UE: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate combined with electrocautery resection: the mushroom technique. J Urol. 2002, 168: 1470-1474. 10.1097/00005392-200210010-00040.CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Gilling PJ, Kennett K, Das AK, Thompson D, Fraundorfer MR: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) combined with transurethral tissue morcellation: an update on the early clinical experience. J Endourol. 1998, 12: 457-459.CrossRefPubMed Gilling PJ, Kennett K, Das AK, Thompson D, Fraundorfer MR: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) combined with transurethral tissue morcellation: an update on the early clinical experience. J Endourol. 1998, 12: 457-459.CrossRefPubMed
26.
go back to reference Moody JA, Lingeman JE: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate with tissue morcellation: initial United States experience. J Endourol. 2000, 14: 219-223.CrossRefPubMed Moody JA, Lingeman JE: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate with tissue morcellation: initial United States experience. J Endourol. 2000, 14: 219-223.CrossRefPubMed
27.
go back to reference Gilling PJ, Kennett KM, Fraundorfer MR: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for glands larger than 100 g: an endourologic alternative to open prostatectomy. J Endourol. 2000, 14: 529-531.CrossRefPubMed Gilling PJ, Kennett KM, Fraundorfer MR: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for glands larger than 100 g: an endourologic alternative to open prostatectomy. J Endourol. 2000, 14: 529-531.CrossRefPubMed
28.
go back to reference Kuntz RM, Lehrich K: Transurethral holmium laser enucleation versus transvesical open enucleation for prostate adenoma greater than 100 gm.:: a randomized prospective trial of 120 patients. J Urol. 2002, 168: 1465-1469. 10.1097/00005392-200210010-00039.CrossRefPubMed Kuntz RM, Lehrich K: Transurethral holmium laser enucleation versus transvesical open enucleation for prostate adenoma greater than 100 gm.:: a randomized prospective trial of 120 patients. J Urol. 2002, 168: 1465-1469. 10.1097/00005392-200210010-00039.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP): A Technical Update
Authors
Ramsay L Kuo
Ryan F Paterson
Samuel C Kim
Tibério M Siqueira Jr
Mostafa M Elhilali
James E Lingeman
Publication date
01-12-2003
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
World Journal of Surgical Oncology / Issue 1/2003
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7819
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7819-1-6

Other articles of this Issue 1/2003

World Journal of Surgical Oncology 1/2003 Go to the issue