Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is safe and effective for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) regardless of age, a study found.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Ariz., led by Mitchell R. Humphreys, MD, reviewed data from 311 BPH patients who underwent HoLEP. Of these, 22 were aged 50-59 years, 91 were aged 60-69 years, 153 were aged 70-79 years, and 45 were aged 80 years or older. The overall morbidity rates were similar among the age groups (20%, 24.4%, 21.6%, and 22.1%, respectively), the investigators reported online ahead of print in BJU International.
The groups also had similar incidences of significant complications, changes in serum hemoglobin level, and hospital length of stay. Patients aged 80 and older, however, had a longer catheterization time than patients aged 50-59 years (3.4 vs. 1.68 days).
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In addition, by one year, no significant differences were observed in urinary continence, International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum urinary flow rate, and post-void residual volume among the age groups.
