The clinical efficacy of sparing the proximal part of verumontanum for ejaculation preservation in holmium laser enucleation of the prostate

Objective To explore the effectiveness of sparing the proximal part of verumontanum for ejaculation preservation in holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). Methods From May 2014 to May 2015, 40 sexually active patients with sufficient ejaculate underwent HoLEP. Twenty patients received ejaculation-preserving technique during HoLEP (EP-HoLEP group). The other 20 patients underwent conventional HoLEP (conventional-HoLEP group). In the EP-HoLEP group, the tissue >1 cm proximal to verumontanum was preserved. Results There was no significant difference in patient characteristics and perioperative parameters. Preoperatively, the volume of semen were (3.1±0.6) ml in HoLEP group and (3.4±0.7) ml in EP-HoLEP group (P>0.05); 12 months after surgery, there were (1.2±1.3) ml and (2.3±1.5) ml (P<0.05). Success rate of ejaculation preservation were 25% in HoLEP group and 60% in EP-HoLEP group, oppositely,the rate of retrograde ejaculation were 75% and 40% (P<0.05) respectively. Conclusions Sparing the proximal part of verumontanum in HoLEP could improve the success rate of ejaculation preservation. Key words: Benign prostatic hyperplasia; Holmium laser; Enucleation of prostate; Retrograde ejaculation; Random; Prospective