Two-micrometer thulium laser resection of the prostate-tangerine technique for patients with acute urinary retention

Two-micrometer thulium laser resection of the prostate-tangerine technique (TmLRP-TT) has been introduced as a minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Acute urinary retention (AUR) is a common and serious complication of BPH. The study was undertaken to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of TmLRP-TT in the treatment of patients with AUR secondary to BPH. A prospective evaluation of 52 patients undergoing TmLRP-TT from December 2011 to November 2012 was carried out. Preoperative status, surgical details, and perioperative complications were recorded. The follow-up outcome was evaluated with subjective and objective tests at 1 and 6 months. Mean age was 70.3 ± 7.8 years old. Mean prostate volume was 69.6 ± 31.6 ml, and mean residual volume with retention was 274.5 ± 150.7 ml. Mean operative time was 64.1 ± 30.4 min. Mean catheterization duration was 5.4 ± 1.1 days. The mean International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life score, and postvoid residual urine volume decreased significantly at 6-month follow-up (21.6 ± 6.8 vs. 6.8 ± 3.2, 4.4 ± 1.2 vs. 0.9 ± 0.8, 274.5 ± 150.7 vs. 40.6 ± 22.5 ml). The mean maximum urinary flow rate was 18.7 ± 6.9 ml/s postoperative. Two (3.8 %) of the patients required blood transfusion in operation. Five (9.6 %) of the patients had transient hematuria postoperative, and two (3.8 %) of them received 3 days recatheterization due to clot retention. The early clinical results suggest that the TmLRP-TT is a promising safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment for patients with AUR secondary to BPH. The incidence of complications was low.