Comparison of the efficacy and safety of robotic-assisted simple prostatectomy and laser enucleation of prostate for large benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Laser enucleation of the prostate (LEP) and robotic-assisted simple prostatectomy (RASP) are two main treatment methods for large benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but the superiority between these two methods in treating large BPH is currently unclear. This study aims to conduct a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and the safety of LEP and RASP in treating large BPH. We systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for studies that compared safety and efficacy outcomes of both LEP and RASP. Review Manager 5.3 was used for the meta-analysis. Six studies with a total of 1235 patients were included in the analysis. Resected adenoma weight was similar in LEP than RASP group. Operative time [mean difference (MD) - 67.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] - 131.66 to - 4.25; p = 0.04], catheterization time (MD -6.31; 95% CI - 9.44 to - 3.18; p < 0.0001), and length of stay (MD - 2.44; 95% CI - 3.55 to - 1.34; p < 0.0001) were lower in LEP. The International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum urinary flow rate, prostate-specific antigen, and post-void residual urine volume were also comparable between two groups. Furthermore, LEP demonstrated lesser hemoglobin decrease (MD - 0.50; 95% CI - 0.96 to - 0.05; p = 0.03), lower blood transfusion rate [odd ratio (OR) 0.23, 95% CI 0.08-0.66; p = 0.006], and lower rate of Clavien-Dindo Grade ≥ 3 complications (OR 0.435, 95% CI 0.189-0.998; p = 0.049). Finally, there was no significant difference in overall complications between two groups. Current evidence shows that LEP offers favorable perioperative outcomes compared with RASP. However, there was no conclusive evidence that LEP was advantaged in terms of efficacy outcomes.