Mr Brewin and Mr Johnston specialise in the HoLEP surgery and between them performed over 1000 HoLEPs.
HoLEP (holmium laser enucleation of the prostate) is used to treat men with urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate. Enlarged prostates may cause urinary symptoms (slow flow of urine, frequent voiding, the need to pass urine at night etc) or urinary retention. The laser is used to core out the inside of the prostate and reduces the size of the prostate so that it no longer blocks the flow of urine.
HoLEP is particularly effective at treating men with urinary retention - with a HoLEP over 95% of men are able to pass urine normally and get catheter free.
Compared with a traditional TURP a HoLEP causes less bleeding so most men recover more quickly; it is also better at improving men's symptoms and bladder emptying compared with other BPH procedures (e.g. TURP, green light laser, Rezum). HoLEP is particularly good for treating very large prostates (>100cc) where other treatments are less effective. About half of patients are able to have a HoLEP as a day case operation, half need to stay overnight in hospital.
For detailed information on the procedure, the potential side effects and a video of the operation please see the BAUS website.