ThuLEP
Thulium laser is among the most current laser types used in the field of healthcare. ThuLEP It is a closed surgery technique performed using Thulium laser. Treatment of benign prostate enlargement is performed successfully thanks to the Thulep technique. It is applied by urologists in the treatment of benign prostate enlargement. Thulep It provides many advantages to patients.
In men, the prostate, which is located at the bladder outlet and through which the urinary tract passes, increases in size due to aging. The enlarged prostate compresses the urinary tract and causes urinary problems. If prostate enlargement does not occur due to cancer cells, benign enlargement occurs. The treatment method for benign prostatic hyperplasia may differ depending on the size of the prostate. Nowadays, laser method is applied in the treatment of prostate enlargement, allowing patients to live a comfortable life.
In Which Diseases Is Thulium (ThuLEP) Used?
ThuLEP is among the newest technologies used in the field of urology. It is mostly preferred in the treatment of benign prostate enlargement. ThuLEP technique is also used in endoscopic resection and staging of bladder tumors and in resection and staging of upper urinary tract tumors.
Who can use Thulium (ThuLEP)?
Anyone recommended for prostate surgery ThuLEP applicable. It is performed reliably because it is superior to other surgical techniques. The method called TUR is not recommended for prostates larger than 80 -100 grams. Thulium laser is also successfully applied for large prostates. There is no upper limit for prostate size in the ThuLEP method. ThuLEP laser method also allows patients with bladder stones to be applied in the same session as prostate surgery. The ThuLEP method is also successfully applied to the patient group who has a catheter inserted because they cannot urinate. Thulium laser; It is a reliable technique compared to other methods in patients with cardiovascular diseases, stents or previous bypass, and patients using blood thinners.
What are the Advantages of ThuLEP Technique?
With Holmium and Thulium laser, which is widely used today, the prostate is treated by entering it through the urinary canal with the help of a camera and laser, regardless of its size. In this way, enlarged prostate tissue is eliminated. Thulium laser It can be applied in the endoscopic treatment of benign prostate enlargement without any upper or lower limit on prostate size. Thulium laser is used in bladder tumors and upper urinary tract tumors.
With Thulium laser, the enlarged prostate tissues in the urinary tract are cut and the urinary tract is opened up to the prostate capsule. It is possible to achieve successful results with both HoLEP and ThuLEP techniques. In the light of the research, due to the technical differences of laser energies, Thulium provides better cutting power, less bleeding, shorter hospital stay and faster recovery time.
Although the sphincter muscle tissue, which allows urine retention in the urinary tract, is sufficiently preserved in both laser methods, the risk of any strain or damage in this area is very low, as the Thulium laser energy cuts the surrounding tissues more easily. ThuLEP It is performed due to the reasons that the technique does not affect sexual functions, eliminates the difficulty in urination that impairs the quality of daily life, and can be applied to patients with other diseases and patients using blood thinners.
The advantages of ThuLEP treatment can be listed as follows;
- Thulium laser reaches less depth on the tissues, allowing less bleeding to occur,
- Minimizes the risk of urinary incontinence,
- Thanks to laser energy, the quality of erection is preserved as the neural structures involved in erection passing around the prostate are exposed to less heat energy.
What are the differences between HoLEP and ThuLEP?
Holep and Thulep methods are generally similar to each other. However, Thulium Fiber Laser achieves better cutting power and less tissue depth. Thus, there is less bleeding.
How is ThuLEP Surgery Performed?
In ThuLEP surgery, the prostate capsule and the enlarged prostate are separated by entering the urinary tract through the external urinary hole. Prostate tissues thrown into the bladder are removed from the body through the urinary opening with special devices. Less tissue and cell damage occurs with Thulium laser. ThuLEP laser surgeries take an average of 1-3 hours depending on the prostate volume. Length of hospital stay varies depending on various factors. Hospital stay generally lasts 1 to 2 days, depending on the size of the prostate, the age of the patient, and the patient's additional diseases.
Does the Prostate Grow Again After ThuLEP Technique?
In the ThuLEP technique, since the laser is completely separated and removed from the capsule, no fragments are left behind. In the classical TUR-P method, the prostate is cleaned by opening the urinary tract. In the ThuLEP method, the shell layer is descended and the tissue is separated. In the TUR-P method, the tissue blocking the middle urinary pipe is removed. For this reason, in surgeries using the TUR-P technique, prostate tissue may grow and compress the urinary tract again. ThuLEP In this technique, there is no need for re-operation since there is no prostate tissue left.
Does ThuLEP Affect Sexual Functions?
Nerves passing around the prostate that affect erection may be negatively affected during surgery. In benign prostate enlargement performed with laser, the prostate is stripped from the capsule. The laser energy used during this process affects a depth of 0.25 mm. Thus, the energy used to separate the prostate tissue does not harm the nerves that enable erection.
When Can the Patient Return to Normal Life After the ThuLEP Technique?
ThuLEP, which is applied to patients of all ages with prostate enlargement, is a much more applicable and safe method compared to other methods. In this way, the patient discharged from the hospital can return to his normal life in a short time. Patients with physically heavy work tempos are recommended to return to work after resting for at least 2 weeks. Patients can do light physical exercises. During this process, patients' compliance with the rules specified by the physician positively affects the healing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thulium Fiber (ThuFLEP) is a laser device that can pass through thin instruments with its very thin probes.
In the Thulium (Thulep) Laser method, less tissue and cell damage occurs as a result of the tissue penetration depth being lower and the wavelength working continuously at a certain temperature with continuous energy.