For a long time, the only struggle treatment option (lower urinary tract symptoms) was invasive surgery, which involved the elimination of extended central prostate tissue. This procedure had many side effects and complications. Thus, many men have avoided it.Currently, men who suffer from HBP have the possibility of drug treatment. Drugs do not represent healing for HBPH, but they can treat the symptoms associated with expanded prostate.
These drugs containing alpha-blockers can help relieve symptoms, but their effects are not sustainable. Long-term drug treatment or even long life can affect hormonal balance and sexual function.Therefore, it has emerged a need for alternative treatment. The holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and the UroLift are surgical procedures generally used to treat urinary problems associated with HBP.
Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP), is a newer procedure performed to remove the portion of your prostate that causes your urinary symptoms. Unlike the UroLift therapies, HoLEP requires anesthesia and sedation in the operating room. HoLEP is performed whenever patients have moderate to severely enlarged prostates.
HoLEP was historically developed as a response to patients with prostates that were too large to be addressed in a minimally invasive manner, requiring open surgeries and incisions. Since then it has gained traction as a preferred treatment method for prostates of all sizes due to its flexibility in technique and its ability to be performed without the need for incisions or cuts. While UroLift focus on addressing certain portions of the prostate, HoLEP aims to completely remove all portions of the prostate that are responsible for BPH and urinary symptoms. If you think of the prostate as an orange, the HoLEP aims to remove the “fruit” portion and preserves the “peel.”
UroLift, or Prostatic Urethral Lift – For patients with mild to moderate prostate enlargement or certain prostate shapes, the UroLift procedure aims to improve urinary issues related to BPH by applying clips that lift and staple prostate tissue in a manner to create an open channel. This often provides immediate, rapid relief. UroLift is an in-office procedure that can be performed under either local anesthesia or sedation. Current studies show good durability up to 6 years and maybe even longer but results may not always be permanent and require repeat procedures in the future if symptoms return.
The HoLEP vs UroLift comparative vision suggests that the HoLEP procedure is a milestone on the route of alternative treatment options for BPH. The results for Holep and UroLift are comparable and the choice that will make depends on the various factors mentioned above.