Thulium laser vaporization versus transurethral resection of the prostate and risk factors for postoperative urethral stricture

Objective To compare thulium laser vaporization of the prostate (TLVP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) analyze the risk factors for postoperative urethral stricture. METHODS From June 2015 to June 2016, 210 BPH patients in our hospital underwent TURP (n = 126) or TLVP (n = 84). We followed up the patients for 6 months, compared the effects of the two surgical strategies and analyzed the risk factors for postoperative urethral stricture by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Compared with TURP, TLVP achieved significantly shorter time of operation (［78.6 ± 27.5］ vs ［53.2 ± 21.6］ min, P <0.01), postoperative bladder irrigation (［31.5 ± 2.9］ vs ［26.1 ± 3.7］ h, P <0.01), urethral catheterization (［5.3 ± 1.7］ vs ［3.7 ± 1.5］ d, P <0.01) and postoperative hospitalization (［7.9 ± 2.1］ vs ［5.5 ± 1.4］ d, P <0.01) as well as lower urinary leukocyte count at 6 months after surgery (［32.1 ± 12.6］ vs ［24.9 ± 11.7］ /μl, P <0.01) and incidence rate of postoperative complications (11.9% ［15/126］ vs 3.6% ［3/84］, P <0.05), particularly that of urethral stricture (7.9% ［10/126］ vs 1.2% ［1/84］, P <0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the preoperative urinary leukocyte count, postoperative urethral catheterization time, and surgical method were independent risk factors for postoperative urethral stricture. CONCLUSIONS TLVP, in comparison with TURP, has the advantages of definite effect, fast recovery, high safety and low incidence of postoperative urethral stricture. The main risk factors for postoperative urethral stricture include preoperative urinary tract infection, postoperative urethral catheterization time and surgical method.