PD10-08 THULIUM LASER TRANSURETHRAL VAPORESECTION OF THE PROSTATE VERSUS TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE PROSTATE: RESULTS OF THE UNBLOCS RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), using electro‐cautery, is the commonest surgical procedure for benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). Thuliumlaser transurethral vaporesection of the prostate (ThuVARP) is a relatively new technique which vaporises and resects the prostate similarly to TURP (e.g. resectoscope hand‐movement) with histology also being available. The limited literature suggests advantages of laser techniques in terms of length of stay and bleeding. This NIHR‐funded study aimed to determine whether ThuVARP is equivalent to TURP for BPO treatment. METHODS: This randomized controlled, parallel‐group, blinded phase III trial was conducted in seven UK centres. Men presenting with voiding LUTS or urinary retention secondary to BPO were randomized to TURP or ThuVARP. The co‐primary outcomes were the IPSS and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included complications (Clavien‐Dindo), healthcare costs and patient experiences. RESULTS: Overall, 410 men were randomized (205/arm). IPSS scores reduced equally for both procedures with a small benefit for TURP in Qmax (Table 1). Surgical complications, transfusion rates and hospital stay were similar for both procedures. Patient experiences (37 interviews) and urinary and sexual outcome measures were similar across treatments. Notably, only 75% of ThuVARP patients underwent their allocation versus 98% for TURP, mostly due to ThuVARP equipment failure (18/51). Prostate cancer was detected incidentally less frequently after ThuVARP (13% vs. 5%, odds ratio 0.35, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.75) in an exploratory analysis. The ThuVARP operation took 20 minutes on average longer than TURP. Costs were similar at £4,185 for TURP and £67 higher for ThuVARP (95% CI ‐£353 to £486). CONCLUSIONS: ThuVARP mostly demonstrated similar outcomes to TURP. TURP was superior for Qmax, although both were clinically successful. ThuVARP may also detect less prostate cancer incidentally. The anticipated benefits of length of stay and bleeding for ThuVARP were equal to TURP. Overall, ThuVARP and TURP are effective BPO treatments, with minor clinical benefits favouring TURP, suggesting that TURP remains the "gold standard" operation.