Outcome analysis of minimally invasive treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia

The armamentarium of minimally invasive treatment modalities for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia has increased steadily during the past decade. The energy sources used range from microwaves and radiofrequency waves to high-intensity focused ultrasound, with laser vaporization/coagulation/resection and electrosurgical techniques. The large amount of data available allow some conclusions to be drawn concerning the present role of the "gold standard" TURP among the minimally invasive procedures. Although the subjective response after TURP and other minimally invasive procedures is comparable, improvements of flow and urodynamic parameters usually are more pronounced after TURP. Failure rates requiring reintervention (usually TURP) are considerable. Minimally invasive procedures lead to a shift of morbidity from the intraoperative phase, which is reduced (risk of bleeding, TUR syndrome, transfusion) to the postoperative phase. This period is characterized by prolonged urinary retention (ILC, VLAP), significant dysuria (VLAP, TUVP), and nycturia. Recent advances in electrosurgical techniques, such as band TURP loops that facilitate coagulation due to the longer contact time between the electrode and the tissue, have the potential to convert TURP into a less invasive procedure. Finally, high-energy TUMT seems to offer a truly minimally invasive treatment combining efficacy and the need for topical anesthesia only. However, due to a lack of homogeneity of criteria for patient recruitment, parameters of evaluation, and adequate follow-up; accurate guidelines for appropriate patient management have not been established yet.