Ultrasound-guided SoracteLite™ transperineal laser ablation (TPLA) of the prostate for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): a prospective single-center experience

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided transperineal laser ablation (TPLA) in patients with symptomatic BPH. Materials and methods: From January 2020 to January 2022, 63 prospectively enrolled patients underwent TPLA with a 1064-nm continuous-wave diode laser (EchoLaser, Elesta SpA). Primary endpoints were the change in IPSS, QoL, Qmax, PVR and prostate volume at 3 and 12 months. Results: At 3 months, IPSS improved from 20.8 ± 7.4 to 11.0 ± 6.6 (p < 0.001), QoL from 4.7 ± 1.4 to 1.5 ± 1.2 (p < 0.001) and Qmax from 8.6 ± 3.5 mL/s to 13.2 ± 5.7 mL/s (p = 0.083). PVR decreased from 124.8 ± 115.4 mL to 43.6 ± 53.6 mL (p < 0.001), and prostate volume decreased from 63.6 ± 29.7 mL to 45.6 ± 21.8 mL (p = 0.003). At 12 months, IPSS improved from 20.8 ± 7.4 to 8.4 ± 5.9 (p < 0.001), QoL from 4.7 ± 1.4 to 1.2 ± 0.8 (p < 0.001), and Qmax from 8.6 ± 3.5 mL/s to 16.2 ± 4.3 mL/s (p = 0.014). PVR decreased from 124.8 ± 115.4 mL to 40.6 ± 53.6 mL (p = 0.003), and prostate volume decreased from 63.6 ± 29.7 mL to 42.8 ± 14.2 mL (p = 0.071). Transient complications consisted of two patients with prostatic abscess (Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa) and one patient with orchitis (Clavien-Dindo grade II). Conclusions: TPLA for symptomatic BPH provides clinical benefits at 3 and 12 months, and the treatment is well tolerated.