Trial reportLancet (London, England)2020
Thulium laser transurethral vaporesection of the prostate versus transurethral resection of the prostate for men with lower urinary tract symptoms or urinary retention (UNBLOCS): a randomised controlled trial.
Trial report in Lancet (London, England), 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 34 citations in OpenAlex.
- What to expect from the novel pulsed thulium:YAG laser? A systematic review of endourological applications.World journal of urology · 2023Pooled it
- Thulium laser transurethral vaporesection versus transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic obstruction: the UNBLOCS RCT.Health technology assessment (Winchester, England) · 2020Trial
- [Impact of thulium laser enucleation of the prostateBeijing da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Peking University. Health sciences · 2026Article
- High-frequency irreversible electroporation versus transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia (GIANT): a single-centre, randomised, double-blind, phase 3, non-inferiority trial.EClinicalMedicine · 2026Article
- Article
- Validity and reliability of the Brazilian version of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Male Sexual Matters Associated with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Module.Revista latino-americana de enfermagem · 2025Article
- Comparative outcomes of transurethral resection of the prostate and prostate kinetic resection in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia with prostatic stones.American journal of cancer research · 2025Article
- Surgical outcomes of endoscopic enucleation of the prostate in community aging males with or without preoperative urinary retention.International urology and nephrology · 2024Article
- Construction of lncRNA- and circRNA-associated ceRNA networks in the prostatic urethra of rats after simulating transurethral laser prostatectomy (TULP).Molecular and cellular biochemistry · 2024Article
- Progressive pre-disconnection of urethral mucosal flap during transurethral plasmakinetic enucleation of prostate improves postoperative urinary continence.Zhejiang da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences · 2023Article
- Rehabilitation care of patients with neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury: A literature review.World journal of clinical cases · 2023Review
- Comment on: Thulium laser transurethral vaporesection versus transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic obstruction: the UNBLOCS RCT.World journal of urology · 2022Article
- Transurethral laser ablation of the prostate: from "which technique does better" to "what patient benefits the most" the real challenge in contemporary surgery.World journal of urology · 2021Article
- Pharmacological and interventional treatment of benign prostatic obstruction: An evidence-based comparative review.BJUI compass · 2021Review
- Risk Factors of Emergency Room Visits for Bleeding Complications Following Transurethral Procedures in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Clinical interventions in aging · 2021Article
- Modern advancements in minimally invasive surgical treatments for benign prostatic obstruction.Therapeutic advances in urologyReview
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Authors and funding
12 authors at 6 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundTransurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the standard operation for benign prostatic obstruction. Thulium laser transurethral vaporesection of the prostate (ThuVARP) is a technique with suggested advantages over TURP, including reduced complications and hospital stay. We aimed to investigate TURP versus ThuVARP in men with lower urinary tract symptoms or urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic obstruction.
methodsIn this randomised, blinded, parallel-group, pragmatic equivalence trial, men in seven UK hospitals with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms or urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic obstruction were randomly assigned (1:1) at the point of surgery to receive ThuVARP or TURP. Patients were masked until follow-up completion. Centres used their usual TURP procedure (monopolar or bipolar). All trial surgeons underwent training on the ThuVARP technique. Co-primary outcomes were maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) at 12-months post-surgery. Equivalence was defined as a difference of 2·5 points or less for IPSS and 4 mL per s or less for Qmax. Analysis was done according to the intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN00788389.
findingsBetween July 23, 2014, and Dec 30, 2016, 410 men were randomly assigned to ThuVARP or TURP, 205 per study group. TURP was superior for Qmax (mean 23·2 mL per s for TURP and 20·2 mL per s for ThuVARP; adjusted difference in means -3·12, 95% CI -5·79 to -0·45). Equivalence was shown for IPSS (mean 6·3 for TURP and 6·4 for ThuVARP; adjusted difference in means 0·28, -0·92 to 1·49). Mean hospital stay was 48 h in both study groups. 91 (45%) of 204 patients in the TURP group and 96 (47%) of 203 patients in the ThuVARP group had at least one complication.
interpretationTURP and ThuVARP were equivalent for urinary symptom improvement (IPSS) 12-months post-surgery, and TURP was superior for Qmax. Anticipated laser benefits for ThuVARP of reduced hospital stay and complications were not observed.
fundingUK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.