Predictors of Postoperative Urinary Incontinence After Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: 12 Months Follow-Up

To identify pre- and perioperative factors associated with incontinence after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Retrospective review of our single-surgeon database identified 88 patients with 12 months' follow-up who underwent surgery between December 2014 and November 2016. Postoperative urinary incontinence was defined as 1 or more pads per day. Patients were evaluated at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively.

Preoperative variables associated with incontinence at all follow-ups included pre-existing incontinence and higher detrusor voiding pressure. Higher maximum urinary flow and lower postvoid residual were predictors of transient urinary incontinence. On multivariate analysis, pre-existing incontinence remained significant as a 12-month predictor, whereas a higher detrusor voiding pressure was only significant as a 6-week predictor. De novo incontinence at 12 months was identified in only 1/44 patients (2%). Among patients with pre-existing incontinence, 30/40 (75%) reported resolution of their incontinence at 12 months. Numerous demographic, urinary, urodynamic, and operative factors were not significant for predicting incontinence. The mean decrease in pads per day between 6 weeks and 6 months was -1.6 and between 6 months and 12 months was -0.75. Medical management did not significantly impact rates of postoperative incontinence when compared to observation alone.

Pre-existing urinary incontinence and/or higher detrusor voiding pressure may predict urinary incontinence 12 months after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate.