Evidence Hub

Endoscopic enucleation of the prostate versus transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

L. Vo, David Armany, Venu Chalasani, Simon V. Bariol, S. Baskaranathan, Tania Hossack, David Ende, Henry H. Woo

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, 2025

3,085 participants · 15 citations

Abstract

Endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (EEP) has emerged as a leading surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), traditionally managed by transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). EEP involves complete adenoma removal along the surgical capsule and can be performed using different energy sources, such as holmium, thulium, GreenLight and diode lasers, or bipolar electrocautery. This meta-analysis compares the efficacy and safety of EEP versus TURP. A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Scopus (2003-present) identified randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing EEP with TURP in adult males (≥18 years) with BPH. Primary outcomes comprised functional measures (Qmax, PVR, IPSS, QoL, IIEF-5), while secondary outcomes included adverse events (incontinence, bleeding, infection, re-treatment rates, hospital stay duration). Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB2 tool. Twenty-eight RCTs (n = 3085) met inclusion criteria: 1538 patients underwent EEP and 1547 underwent TURP. EEP was associated with significantly improved IPSS (at 12 months), Qmax (1, 6, 12, 24 months), and PVR (6, 12, 36 months) compared with TURP. Perioperative outcomes favoured EEP, including shorter catheterisation time (MD = −1.12 days), reduced hospital stay (MD = −0.92 days), and lower transfusion rates (RR = 0.22). No significant differences were observed in long-term incontinence or bladder…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 3,085 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free