Safety and efficacy of thulium laser resection of bladder tumors versus transurethral resection of bladder tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The thulium laser resection of bladder tumor (TmLRBT) is widely used in the treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), and we conduct this study to compare the safety and efficacy of TmLRBT with transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). A comprehensive literature research was conducted using multiple databases, and comparative studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of TmLRBT and TURBT were included. For continuous outcomes, the weighted mean difference (WMD) was used to measure the difference, whereas the risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for binary variables. Overall, ten studies with 1558 patients enrolled were included in the meta-analysis. The baseline characteristics of two groups were comparable. The operative time ( p = 0.24) and catheterization time ( p = 0.41) of two groups were similar but the TmLRBT group had a shorter length of hospital stay ( p = 0.04). TmLRBT was related to fewer intraoperative complications including obturator nerve reflex ( p < 0.001) and bladder perforation ( p < 0.001). Although the rate of postoperative irrigation did not significantly differ in our analysis ( p = 0.28), the TmLRBT was related to a significantly shorter duration of irrigation ( p = 0.004). Besides, the TmLRBT group had a higher rate of identification of detrusor ( p = 0.02). However, TmLRBT did not suggest significantly better cancer control than TURBT including the overall recurrence ( p = 0.052), 1-year recurrence ( p = 0.23), and 2-year recurrence ( p = 0.40). Compared with conventional TURBT, the TmLRBT showed superior safety and non-inferior efficacy in cancer control. TmLRBT could also provide high-quality specimens for pathology diagnosis; therefore, it is an as effective option for NMIBC.