The Hospiten Group, through their Urology, Andrology and Pelvic Floor Department, is applying a technique known as HoLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate on patients with prostate disorders. The procedure allows the prostate adenoma, or enlarged prostate tissue, to be fully removed, prostates of any size to be treated and tissue to be analyzed, all using endoscopic techniques, minimizing the risk of complications.
The technique was first used in 1998 and is currently accepted and recommended by leading international urological circles. However, due to the technological requirements and surgical complexity of the procedure, it is carried out at highly-specialized centers by experienced professionals like Dr. Guillermo Conde at Hospiten Rambla.
As Dr. Conde explains, “many men suffer from benign enlargement of the prostate, known as prostate adenoma or benign prostatic hyperplasia”. As the gland grows in size, symptoms begin to appear, like a loss in urine flow, the need to get up to urinate during the night, a pressing need to urinate or the feeling of not fully emptying the bladder and complications like infections, bleeding, bladder stones, acute urinary retention or even kidney failure.
The main advantages of HoLEP over other surgical techniques are that there is no need for an incision in the abdomen, any size of prostate can be treated, there is very little bleeding during surgery, catheters can be removed sooner and the hospital stay is shorter, the adenoma is removed completely and permanently, tissue is analyzed, bladder stones can be dealt with, the short and long-term results are excellent and there is no chance of relapse or need for further surgeries.
“A third of patients suffering from prostate problems will require surgery because they don’t respond to treatment or have complications. Classical surgical treatment consisted of open surgery to remove the enlarged center of the prostate – this procedure is known as an open adenomectomy or prostatectomy. Later, endoscopic treatments were developed – transurethral resection of the prostate – which allows the adenoma to be cut into small pieces and removed through the urethra, without the need for incisions. Both treatment options pose risks like bleeding, the need for transfusions or a long hospital stay and some complications like urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction”, explains the doctor.
A technique recommended for larger prostates
The HoLEP is the only technique recommended for larger prostates. A Holmium laser is used to separate the adenoma from the prostatic capsule in a single piece, which is then broken into two or three pieces and pushed towards the bladder.
Finally, the enucleated tissue is pushed into the bladder and is broken up and then extracted for analysis to rule out cancer. Likewise, in the case of bladder stones, the Holmium laser is the only laser able to pulverize and extract them together with prostate tissue in a single procedure.
“Younger patients, with years of life ahead of them, can also benefit from removal of the adenoma as it reduces the risk of developing further problems down the line. The technique is also recommended in patients for whom surgery is a risk, whose family has a history of cancer or who have previously had biopsies with negative results”, explains Dr. Conde.
Hospiten confirms the company’s commitment to the application of new techniques and groundbreaking treatments to go on offering excellent services while seeking to improve the quality of life of their patients. This new application gives patients access to the technological means and knowledge to deal with prostate disorders.