The results of holmium laser resection of the prostate

OBJECTIVE: To assess the results of holmium-laser resection of the prostate (HOLRP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1994 and 1997, 967 patients underwent HOLRP in Tauranga, New Zealand, and in Derby, United Kingdom. The patients were followed at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment using measurements of symptom score and urinary flow rate. RESULTS: There was a large and sustained improvement in symptom scores and urinary flow rates, with no mortality and low morbidity. CONCLUSION: We recommend this technique as an alternative to transurethral resection in the surgical treatment of bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hypertrophy.