[Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate]

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), as a new hi-tech introduced from abroad, may bring about exactly the same results as open surgery, and is even superior to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), especially in handling the front prostate, with its advantages of minimal invasiveness, better safety, shorter operation time, less blood loss, and quicker recovery, which can be achieved through peeling off the prostate alongside the external sphincter and getting it removed in three parts or as a whole. So far, the author has accomplished more than 3 000 surgeries using this technique, without any serious complications. Any patient that can accept anesthesia and endoscopic surgery can be treated by HoLEP. This article presents an overview of the methods, skills and key points of HoLEP, gives a comprehensive analysis of HoLEP based on the anatomic features of the internal and external prostate, and offers a detailed introduction of the requirements of the operator, criteria for the accomplishment of the operation, and prevention and management of surgical damages.