Endourologic Procedures for Benign ProstaticHyperplasia: Review of Indications and Outcomes

PURPOSE: To discern the positive and negative attributes of the varioustreatment modalities for benign prostatic hyperplasia.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature review is presentedfor endoscopic treatment of the bladder outlet obstruction with an emphasison current randomized controlled trials available comparing these treatmentmodalities.RESULTS: Transurethral resection of the prostate remains the gold standardwhen assessing alternative treatment options available for benign prostatichyperplasia. Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate demonstratesequivalent efficacy with a more favorable risk profile. Photo selective vaporization, transurethral needle ablation, and transurethral microwavetherapy have demonstrated safety and short-term efficacy; however, data onlong-term efficacy are currently lacking.CONCLUSION: The current endoscopic methods may offer favorable safetyand efficacy for the treatment of the bladder outlet obstruction. However,further research is needed to establish long-term efficacy for many of thecurrently available treatment options.