Influence of Prostate Volume on the Incidence of Complications and Urinary Incontinence Following Thulium Fiber Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: Results from Multicenter, Real-world Experience of 2732 patients

Background The use of the new thulium fiber laser in enucleation of the prostate (ThuFLEP) has been introduced recently. Objective To evaluate complications and urinary incontinence (UI) after ThuFLEP in small and large prostate volume (PV). Design, setting, and participants We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent ThuFLEP in six centers (from January 2020 to January 2023). The exclusion criteria were concomitant lower urinary tract surgery, previous prostate/urethral surgery, prostate cancer, and pelvic radiotherapy. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Patients were divided into two groups: group 1: PV ≤80 ml; group 2: PV >80 ml. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the independent predictors of overall UI. Results and limitations There were 1458 patients in group 1 and 1274 in group 2. There was no significant difference in age. The median PV was 60 (61-72) ml in group 1 and 100 (90-122) ml in group 2. En bloc enucleation was employed more in group 1, while the early apical release technique was used more in group 2. The rate of prolonged irrigation for hematuria, urinary tract infection, and acute urinary retention did not differ significantly. Blood transfusion rate was significantly higher in group 2 (0.5% vs 2.0%, p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the overall UI rate (12.3% in group 1 vs 14.7% in group 2, p = 0.08). A multivariable regression analysis showed that preoperative postvoiding urine residual (odds ratio 1.004, 95% confidence interval 1.002-1.007, p < 0.01) was the only factor significantly associated with higher odds of UI. A limitation of this study was its retrospective nature. Conclusions Complications and UI rates following ThuFLEP were similar in patients with a PV up to or larger than 80 ml except for the blood transfusion rate that was higher in the latter. Patient summary In this study, we looked at outcomes after thulium fiber laser in enucleation of the prostate stratified by PV. We found that blood transfusion was higher in men with PV >80 ml, but urinary incontinence was similar.