A review of the recent evidence (2006-2008) for 532-nm photoselective laser vaporisation and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate.
BACKGROUND
Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and 532-nm laser vaporisation of the prostate (with potassium titanyl phosphate [KTP] or lithium borate [LBO]) are promising alternatives to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and open prostatectomy (OP).


OBJECTIVE
To assess safety, efficacy, and durability by analysing the most recent evidence of both techniques, aiming to identify advantages, pitfalls, and unresolved issues.


METHODS
A Medline search of recently published data (2006-2008) regarding both techniques over the last 2 yr (January 2006 to September 2008) was performed using evidence obtained from randomised trials (level of evidence: 1b), well-designed controlled studies without randomisation (level of evidence: 2a), individual cohort studies (level of evidence: 2b), individual case control studies (level of evidence: 3), and case series (level of evidence: 4).


RESULTS
In the last 2 yr, several case-control and cohort studies have demonstrated reproducibility, safety, and efficacy of HoLEP and 80-W KTP laser vaporisation. Four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were available for HoLEP, two compared with TURP and two compared with OP, with follow-up >24 mo. Results confirmed general efficacy and durability of HoLEP, as compared with both standard techniques. Only two RCTs were available comparing KTP laser vaporisation with TURP with short-term follow-up, and only one RCT was available comparing KTP laser vaporisation with OP. The results confirmed the overall low perioperative morbidity of KTP laser vaporisation, although efficacy was comparable to TURP in the short term, despite a higher reoperation rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Although they are at different points of maturation, KTP or LBO laser vaporisation and HoLEP are promising alternatives to both TURP and OP. Sufficient data proves HoLEP's durability for most prostate sizes at long-term follow-up; KTP laser vaporisation needs further evaluation to define the reoperation rate. Increasing the number of quality prospective RCTs with adequate follow-up is mandatory to tailor each technique to the right patient.
Urology Unit, Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital, Bergamo, Italy. nasprorichard@yahoo.com
Richard
R
Naspro
Alexander
A
Bachmann
Peter
P
Gilling
Rainer
R
Kuntz
Stephan
S
Madersbacher
Francesco
F
Montorsi
Oliver
O
Reich
Christian
C
Stief
Ivano
I
Vavassori
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020728:Transurethral Resection of Prostate / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome