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Reasons to go for thulium-based anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate

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Abstract

Purpose

To summarize the current evidence and the reasons to go for thulium-based anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (AEEP).

Methods

This review discusses the available literature on thulium-based AEEP.

Results

Thulium lasers operate at a wavelength between 1940 and 2013 nm. This wavelength, which has a low penetration depth in water, allows to perform smooth cuts in the prostatic tissue and allows urologists to perform various procedures: resection, vaporization, enucleation, or vapoenucleation of the prostate. Depending on the type of thulium laser, it can be used either in a continuous, or pulsed mode.

Conclusion

In recent years, an increasing amount of evidence has described the thulium laser as a minimally invasive and size-independent treatment option for benign prostatic enlargement with excellent long-term results.

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Acknowledgements

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Author notes

  1. B. Becker and C. Netsch contributed equally to this manuscript.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Asklepios Hospital Barmbek, Rübenkamp 220, 22291, Hamburg, Germany

    B. Becker, C. Netsch & A. J. Gross

  2. Department of Urology, ASST Valle Olona, Ospedale Di Busto Arsizio (VA), Busto Arsizio, Italy

    G. Bozzini

  3. Department of Urology, Kantonsspital Frauenfeld, Frauenfeld, Switzerland

    T. R. W. Herrmann

  4. Department of Urology, Asklepios Hospital Westklinikum, Hamburg, Germany

    T. Bach

  5. Institute for Urology and Reproductive Health, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia

    D. Enikeev

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Contributions

Protocol/project development: TH. Data collection or management: BB, GB, TH, CN, TB, DE, and AG. Data analysis: BB, CN. Manuscript writing/editing: BB, CN, and AG. Manuscript overview: TH, GB, TB, and DE.

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Becker, B., Netsch, C., Bozzini, G. et al. Reasons to go for thulium-based anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate. World J Urol 39, 2363–2374 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-021-03704-7

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