HoLEP after prostate biopsy: does it have any impact?

PURPOSE: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) has recently become the recommended treatment for prostate in all sizes in benign prostate hyperplasia surgery. A recent prostate biopsy performed prior to the HoLEP procedure can make surgeons concerned about the surgery. We aimed to investigate the per- and postoperative outcomes of the HoLEP procedure in patients who underwent prostate biopsy and to evaluate the most appropriate surgery time after biopsy.

METHODS: The data of 160 patients who underwent HoLEP by a single surgeon between March 2017 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups, Group 1 consisted of 80 patients without prostate biopsy and Group 2 consisted of 80 patients with prior prostate biopsy. All HOLEP procedures in group 2 were performed at least 2 weeks following biopsy. Per- and postoperative outcomes, complications were evaluated.

RESULTS: No significant differences were found between groups in terms of by enucleation time, efficiency of laser, efficiency of enucleation, hospitalization time, and catheterization removal time. Only morcellation time was shorter in biopsy naïve patients. There were no statistical differences in postoperative outcomes. Previous prostate biopsy did not affect the continence status in our study group. There were not any Clavien grade 4 or higher complications. Urinary tract infection was higher in early post-biopsy period, there was no difference among the groups. CONCLUSıON: Our study confirms that HoLEP is a safe and efficient surgical procedure for the patients with prior prostate biopsy. We believe that it can be safely performed 2nd week following prostate biopsy.