
HoLEP and TURP produced similar short-term symptom outcomes, but HoLEP reduced transfusions
AI-summarized from the linked source. Educational brief, not medical advice.
Brief summary
A Cochrane review of randomized trials found that holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and transurethral resection of the prostate produced similar short-term symptom, quality-of-life, major-adverse-event, retreatment, and erectile-function outcomes, while HoLEP likely reduced transfusion need.
What NurseJet pulled from the source
The review included 52 trials and 6,242 participants. In 15 trials with 1,755 participants, HoLEP reduced transfusion risk versus TURP (risk ratio 0.19, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.42), supported by moderate-certainty evidence.
Why this matters for nurses
The best-supported clinically important advantage of HoLEP over TURP in this review was lower transfusion need, which can inform perioperative education and monitoring expectations.
Bedside takeaway
Frame lower transfusion need as HoLEP's clearest supported advantage while maintaining routine postoperative monitoring.
Key takeaways
- Short-term urinary symptom and quality-of-life differences were small and judged to represent little to no difference, with low-certainty evidence.
- Major adverse events and retreatment did not differ clearly between HoLEP and TURP.
- The trials did not provide ejaculatory-function data, and evidence was insufficient for people with very large prostates or those receiving anticoagulation.
Practice implications
- Monitor bleeding, urinary output, catheter status, and postoperative symptoms according to the ordered pathway, and avoid promising broader superiority based on procedure type alone.
Limitations & cautions
- Abstract-only summary. The main comparison focused on outcomes within 12 months, several critical outcomes had low-certainty evidence, and evidence was insufficient for very large prostates, anticoagulation, long-term sexual function, and urinary incontinence.
- AI-summarized from the linked source. Review the original article before applying to practice.
Citations
Exact source links
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The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (PubMed)
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (PubMed). Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42713842/
Professional education only


