Functional Outcome and Safety of Endoscopic Treatment Options for Benign Prostatic Obstruction (BPO) in Patients 75 Years of Age

Background: The selection of suitable patients for the surgical treatment of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) is a challenge in persons >= 75 years of age. Methods: After a systematic literature search of PubMed, 22 articles were included in this review. Clinical and functional parameters were evaluated statistically. Results: The mean age of the patients was >= 79 years. The mean duration of postoperative catheterization ranged between 2 (d) (ThuLEP, thulium laser enucleation of the prostate) and 4.4 days (TURP, transurethral resection of the prostate). Complication rates ranged between 6% (HoLAP, holmium laser ablation of the prostate) and 34% (PVP, photoselective vaporization of the prostate); the maximum rate of severe complications was 4% (TURP). The mean postoperative maximal urinary flow (Qmax) in mL/sec. ranged between 12.9 mL/sec. (HoLAP) and 19.8 mL/sec (Hol-TUIP, holmium laser transurethral incision of the prostate). The mean quality of life (QoL) score fell from 4.7 +/- 0.9 to 1.8 +/- 0.7 (HoLEP), from 4.1 +/- 0.4 to 1.9 +/- 0.8 (PVP), from 5.1 +/- 0.2 to 2.1 +/- 0.2 (TURP), and from 4 to 1 (ThuVEP, thulium laser vapoenucleation of the prostate). Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) revealed a positive linear correlation between age and inferior functional outcome (higher postoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) [r = 0.4175]), higher overall complication rates (r = 0.5432), and blood transfusions (r = 0.4474) across all surgical techniques. Conclusions: This meta-analysis provides the summary estimates for perioperative and postoperative functional outcome and safety of endoscopic treatment options for BPO in patients >= 75 years of age. Of particular importance is that all surgical techniques significantly improve the postoperative quality of life of patients in this age group compared to their preoperative quality of life.