title: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and holmium laser ablation of the prostate: indications and outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) has been proposed as an alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate and to open prostatectomy for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms because of large benign prostatic enlargement. The aim of this review is to critically analyze currently available evidence-based reports regarding HoLEP, with particular interest in long-term follow-up results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of holmium laser for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia was first reported in 1996. HoLEP seems to represent a valid alternative to both transurethral resection of the prostate and open prostatectomy, with valid long-term functional results, a low rate of short-term and long-term complications, and very low rates of reintervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HoLEP represents a valid alternative to both transurethral resection of the prostate and open prostatectomy for treatment of patients suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement. The recently published long-term follow-up data demonstrate the durability of functional results. HoLEP can be offered as the size-independent gold standard treatment of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms because of benign prostatic enlargement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Nazareno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Suardi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gallina
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salonia
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Briganti
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dehò
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanni
authors.forename: Firas
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abdollah
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Naspro
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cestari
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guazzoni
authors.forename: Patrizio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rigatti
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Montorsi
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D020728:Transurethral Resection of Prostate; D016896:Treatment Outcome