Stress urinary incontinence after holmium laser enucleation of prostate: incidence and risk factors

Abstract

Background and objective: To evaluate the incidence and the risk factors of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) during the first year following Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP). Materials and methods: Our monocentric and retrospective study includes 155 patients who underwent HoLEP for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Surgeries were performed by 2 expert surgeons. The continence was evaluated before and after surgery at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The predictive factors of SUI were analysed using logistic regression. Results: The SUI rate at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months was respectively 7.3%, 8.1%, 3.4% and 2.7%. SUI remained present in 4 patients (2.6%) at 12 months. The mean International Consultation Incontinence Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-SF) score for patients with SUI was respectively 11.69 ± 5.28, 8.70 ± 4.24, 1.81 ± 3.53 and 8 ± 4.24 at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months (p < 0.05). Body Mass Index (BMI) >30 (Odds Ratio (OR), 4.69; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.51–14.52; p = 0.007) and patients over 70 years old (OR, 16.23; 95% CI, 1.96–134.09; p = 0.010) were respectively identified as independent risk factors for SUI at 1 and 3 months. Conclusions: SUI after HoLEP is transitory in most cases. It is favoured by a high BMI and an age over 70. These criteria should be considered before choosing the operative technique and preventive measures must be taken in high-risk patients.