What is HolEP?
Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate, also known as HolEP, is a minimally invasive surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia. As a minimally invasive technique, it facilitates rapid recovery from the procedure.
The technique was first described in 1998 and is based on an anatomy of the prostate similar to that of an orange or tangerine, with a peel and segments, i.e. the prostatic adenoma. When these segments overgrow, they obstruct the urethra causing benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Why is HolEP performed?
HolEP is a technique used primarily to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. The prostate is a gland that surrounds the urethra (the urethral duct) in the male genital tract. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a fairly common condition in men, and is associated with aging. When prostate enlargement occurs, it results in an obstruction of the urethra, which can cause some symptoms.
What does HolEP consist of?
With this technique, surgery is performed starting from the urethra. Thus, the limit between the “shell” of the prostate and the segments is sought, cutting with the Holmium laser separates these segments, so that it is hollow, and in turn coagulating the remaining surface.
The procedure is performed with the Holmium laser, a pulsed laser that allows it to shoot several times per second through the urine duct, reaching the prostate.
Because it is so versatile, the Holmium laser can intervene on all sizes of prostate.
Care after HolEP
As it is a minimally invasive technique, the patient’s recovery is very fast, shortening the hospital stay. The results are better than in other techniques, since the entire prostate adenoma is removed.
Some patients have hardly any symptoms after the operation, although in the following weeks after the operation it is common to have some symptoms, such as a burning sensation when urinating or the presence of blood during urination. In some cases, the patient will need to relearn how to urinate, as they previously had a prostate that clogged the bladder and hardly used the sphincter.