Simultaneous Holmium Laser Enucleation of Prostate with Removal of the Permanent Prostatic Urethral Stent Using the High-Power Holmium Laser: Technique in Two Cases and Review of the Literature.

Abstract

Background: Although the prostatic urethral stents are no longer used in the United States for treatment of prostatomegaly, urologists will encounter patients with complications of previously placed permanent prostatic stents. We report two cases of persistent bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after prostatic stent placement treated with simultaneous holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP) with endoscopic removal of the prostatic urethral stent using high-power holmium laser. We also reviewed the literature regarding the removal of prostatic stents with holmium laser combined with surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Case Presentation: A 71-year-old man who presented with LUTS, recurrent gross hematuria, and urinary infection, which developed after placement of a prostatic stent 10 years prior for urinary retention secondary to prostatomegaly (80 g). He underwent combined HoLEP with endoscopic removal of the prostatic stent using 100 W holmium laser at a power setting of 2 J and 30 Hz. The surgical steps comprised fragmentation of the stent in situ by making incisions at 5, 7, and 12 o'clock positions followed by enucleation of the prostate. The stent was then separated from enucleated tissue in the urinary bladder. The remaining prostate adenoma was then morcellated and removed. The patient remained asymptomatic at 10-year follow-up. Another patient was 62-year-old man who developed recurrence of bothersome LUTS, 1 year after placement a prostatic stent for urinary retention. On investigation his prostate was 105 g and stent showed partial migration in the bladder with overlying calcification. HoLEP and stent removal was performed in a manner similar to the first patient. This patient also remained asymptomatic at a 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: Combined HoLEP with removal of a prostatic urethral stent using a high-power holmium laser is safe and effective with long-term durable outcome.