TURP in the new century: an analytical reappraisal in light of lasers

I gladly accepted the invitation to argue for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), although I am a young urologist with an inherent bias towards technology and innovation. I am also capable of performing a Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).1 Among the various minimally invasive surgical therapies (MIST), laser therapies (for resection or vaporization of the prostate) seem to be the most promising. Similar to robotic surgery,2 lasers also are attractive to patients and surgeons. How much of this attention is hype versus reality? Let us review the best available evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).