A Prospective Comparative Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Transurethral Thulium Fiber Laser, Holmium Laser and Bipolar Enucleation of Large Sized Prostate

A Prospective Comparative Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Transurethral Thulium Fiber Laser, Holmium Laser and Bipolar Enucleation of Large Sized Prostate

This study compares the safety and efficacy of three endoscopic enucleation techniques for large prostates (>100 mL) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Thulium Fiber Laser Enucleation (ThuFLEP), Holmium Laser Enucleation (HoLEP), and Bipolar Enucleation (B-TUEP). Ninety male patients with severe lower urinary tract symptoms (IPSS ≥20, Qmax ≤10 mL/s) who failed medical therapy will be randomized 1:1:1 into three groups of 30. Primary outcomes include IPSS, quality of life score, maximum flow rate (Qmax), and post-void residual at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include operative time, enucleation efficiency, blood loss, catheterization duration, hospital stay, and complication rates assessed by the Clavien-Dindo classification.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive condition causing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that significantly impairs quality of life in aging men. While medical therapy with alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors represents first-line management, surgical intervention becomes necessary when symptoms are severe or complications arise.

Anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate has emerged as the size-independent gold standard surgical approach. This prospective randomized controlled trial will be conducted at the Urology Department, Tanta University Hospital (October 2025 - October 2027) following IRB approval (Code: 36265MD479/10/25).

Patients will undergo preoperative evaluation including IPSS, QoL index, IIEF-5, uroflowmetry, transrectal ultrasound, PSA, CBC, coagulation profile, and renal/liver function tests. Intraoperative data will include total operative time, enucleation time, morcellation time, enucleation efficiency (g/min), and estimated blood loss. Postoperative follow-up at 1, 3, and 6 months will assess IPSS, QoL, IIEF-5, Qmax, and post-void residual. Complications will be graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Randomization will use the sealed opaque envelope method with 1:1:1 allocation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male patients diagnosed with BPH
• Clinical diagnosis of BPH with lower urinary tract symptoms.
• IPSS ≥ 20 (severe symptoms)
• Maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) ≤ 10 mL/s
• Prostate volume >100 mL (measured by transrectal ultrasound)
• Failed medical therapy and fit for operation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prostate cancer (current or history).
• Previous prostate surgery
• Previous urethral surgery.
• Neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
• Active urinary tract infection.
• Severe cardiovascular disease (ASA Class IV).
• Previous pelvic radiation.
• Urethral stricture
• Urinary bladder stones.