Objective: To examine the safety and effectiveness of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), as a day-case procedure for selected patients.
Patients and methods: Thirty-eight men underwent HoLEP as a day-case procedure; they were discharged with an indwelling catheter for 48 h with 'Hospital In The Home' nursing management. They were evaluated for symptomatic and flow rate improvements after 3 months. Morbidity, length of stay, the duration of catheterization and readmission rates were evaluated.
Results: The objective symptom score and flow-rate improvements were equivalent to those previously published for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). There were five minor complications, three of which required readmission to hospital and one repeat surgery. The mean stay after surgery was 302 min.
Conclusions: Day-case HoLEP is a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. The outcomes are equivalent to those from TURP. Whilst there were three re-admissions to hospital, two only required an overnight stay and no patient required a blood transfusion.