Predicting poor early voiding pattern after holep using maximum flow rate (Q-max) as an objective outcome

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is recognized as a gold standard treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), providing durable improvements in quality of life and symptomatology. However, a subset of patients continues to experience suboptimal voiding outcomes postoperatively. This study aims to identify preoperative predictors of poor voiding patterns, as objectively measured by maximum urinary flow rate (Q-max), following HoLEP.

We retrospectively analyzed 1121 patients who underwent HoLEP at McGill University Health Centre from January 2006 to December 2022. Inclusion required a minimum one-month follow-up with documented Q-max. Data collected included demographics, preoperative parameters (IPSS, PSA, prostate volume), operative details, and postoperative outcomes. Poor voiding was defined as a Q-max < 15 ml/sec at one month postoperatively. Bilateral stepwise regression identified candidate predictors, which were further evaluated using logistic regression.

The cohort had a mean age of 70.7 years (SD 8.3), mean prostate volume of 98.3 mL, and mean PSA of 6.7 ng/dL (SD 9.1). Preoperative medical therapy included alpha blockers (63.6%) and combination therapy (33%). Multivariate analysis revealed that advanced age (OR = 1.01 per year; 95% CI, 1.00-1.01; p = 0.017), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.03-1.62; p = 0.028), and preoperative combination BPH therapy (OR = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02-1.34; p = 0.023) were independently associated with poor postoperative Q-max, whereas increased enucleated tissue weight was protective (OR = 0.998; 95% CI, 0.996-0.999; p = 0.005).

Advanced age, diabetes mellitus, and combination BPH therapy independently predict suboptimal voiding after HoLEP, highlighting the need for tailored preoperative evaluation and management strategies.