[Comparison of holmium and thulium laser in transurethral enucleation of the prostate]

To investigate and compare the effect and safety of Holmium laser and Thulium laser in transurethral enucleation of the prostate in BPH patients.

Ninety-eight BPH patients were divided into 2 groups and underwent transurethral enucleation of the prostate with holmium laser (Ho group) and thulium laser (Th group) respectively. Comparisons were made between the 2 groups in operation time, bleeding volume, electrolyte, IPSS score, PVR and Qmax.

No statistically significant differences were noted between the 2 groups in age and preoperative prostate volume, IPSS, PVR and Qmax (P > 0.05). The mean operation time was shorter in the Th group ([84.6 +/- 10.2] min) than in the Ho group ([70.5 +/- 7.5] min) (P = 0.032); blood loss was less in the former ([126.5 +/- 14.6] ml) than in the latter ([176.5 +/- 14.1] ml) (P = 0.071), with no blood transfusion necessitated; and the mean times of catheter indwelling were 2.4 d and 2.5 d respectively. There were no significant differences in the levels of hemoglobin and electrolyte before and after operation between the two groups, and no TURP syndrome was observed. IPSS, PVR and Qmax before operation were significantly different from those obtained 3 months after it (P < 0.05) in both the groups, but none of the indexes exhibited statistically significant differences when compared in the same period (P > 0.05).

Both holmium and thulium laser transurethral enucleation of the prostate can alleviate LUTS in BPH patients with similar short-time effectiveness. Thulium is superior to holmium laser in hemostasis, but inferior to it in anatomical distinctness.