It is defined as an up-to-date surgical treatment method using advanced laser technology for the treatment of benign prostate enlargement. It is a laparoscopic (closed) operation in which the entire prostate tissue is excised and removed from the body. HoLEP is a comfortable method that provides similar results to open surgery for enlarged prostates. Today, it is accepted as the gold standard in the surgical treatment of the prostate.

What is HoLEP?

What is HoLEP? It is an endoscopic surgery method administered in the treatment of men who have urination problems due to any degree of benign prostate enlargement, urinary retention, i.e. the inability to urinate even though the bladder is full, recurrent urinary tract infection due to prostate enlargement or bleeding in the urine due to prostate enlargement. The most important benefits that make this method preferable are the minimal risk of post-operative bleeding and short hospitalization, resulting in a rapid recovery. In this method, the adenoma tissue is not cauterized, as in some other laser treatments, but completely removed.

How is HoLEP Surgery Performed?

How is HoLEP Surgery Performed? This operation, which is performed under general anesthesia, can also be performed under local anesthesia. Local anesthesia is administered to the patient below the waist. During the operation, special instruments with cameras are inserted through the urinary canal. The enlarged prostate tissue is carefully separated from the capsule using laser. Then it is thrown into the bladder. The prostate tissue thrown into the bladder is broken down with another instrument and vacuumed out of the body. A catheter is inserted then and the operation is terminated. The removed prostate tissue is sent off for pathological analysis to determine if cancer is present.

What are the Advantages of HoLEP Surgery?

What are the Advantages of HoLEP Surgery? HoLEP, one of the most common methods, has some advantages. It can be performed for prostates of any size. Even for very enlarged prostates, the procedure is initiated without any incision in the skin. It is an alternative to open surgeries. The possibility of reoperation is almost non-existent.

This method also does not cause any damage to sexual function. The risk of bleeding is very low and it does not require blood transfusion during surgery. In mandatory cases, this procedure can be performed even for those taking blood thinners. Length of hospital stay is very short. The catheter is removed post-operatively and does not cause a burning sensation during urination.

Who are Eligible for HoLEP?

Who are Eligible for HoLEP? It can be performed on anyone who needs prostate surgery. It is preferred over other methods because it has significant advantages. Prostates weighing more than 80 grams are usually recommended open surgery. In the HoLEP method, however, this is irrelevant. It is more successful especially in enlarged prostates. In the presence of bladder stones as well as an enlarged prostate, the existing stones can be broken laparoscopically with laser in the same session. In patients with urinary tract constriction, this constriction can be eliminated with laser during the procedure.

Points to be Taken into Consideration after HoLEP Operation

Points to be Taken into Consideration after HoLEP Operation After surgery, the patient stays in the hospital overnight and is discharged the next day. However, the condition may vary from patient to patient. Especially older patients are recommended to stay in hospital for an average of two days. The color of the patient's urine may change after the catheter is removed post-operatively. Minor bleeding may occur in the early post-operative period. Patients can also feel dysuria during urination. However, these are temporary and improvement is observed after a short time.