Perhaps it had something to do with the skill of the doctor?
Maybe. There are risks with every procedure, and patient response is always going to be somewhat variable. Seemed like a reasonable idea at the time, a relatively simple in-office procedure vs “real” surgery. Being a relatively newer procedure, they probably don’t have much long-term data for Rezum i.e. steam treatment, but if the patient is eventually going to end up needing surgery anyway, might as well take the plunge now and get it done with HoLEP. I certainly wish I’d done that.
Peter Attia has a great interview with a urologist where he goes in depth about HoLEP, that came out about a month after I’d had my TURP. Late 2023 I think it was.
1 Like
I think the laser surgery is good. I had mine around the year 2000 and as I said, I haven’t visited a urologist since. The HoLEP procedure was not on offer when I had mine done.
"2008–2014: Studies show that while HoLEP volume and regional adoption increased in the U.S., it still only accounted for about 4% of BPH procedures by 2014.
“2020s: With significant advancements in laser and morcellator technology, HoLEP’s efficiency improved, leading to a surge in interest and availability. It is now considered a size-independent gold standard for BPH treatment and is endorsed by major urological guidelines.”
2 Likes
problem is; one really doesn’t “know” how skilled the surgeon is…
1 Like
they are staples of a sort. I’ll have to ask my urologist that next visit. That’s a good point!
HOLEP is certainly the gold standard and nothing else will come close in regards to symptom relief and durability.
HOLEP was first described in 1998. Credited to Gilling from New Zealand. Unfortunately 33% of states still don’t have anyone doing HOLEP.
1 Like