Structured training accelerates proficiency in pulsed Thulium laser enucleation for benign prostatic enlargement.

This prospective analysis evaluated the learning curves associated with pulsed Thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) among a cohort of three surgeons possessing varying levels of experience in HoLEP. The study population consisted of the first 100 consecutive ThuLEP procedures performed by these individuals. The primary objective was to assess how experience level influenced the acquisition of proficiency in this specific laser technique.

Regarding the main results, postoperative functional outcomes were comparable across all groups regardless of the surgeon's experience level. However, the learning curve analysis indicated that experienced surgeons demonstrated a steeper learning curve compared to others. Specifically, the highly experienced surgeon achieved proficiency approximately twice as quickly as the moderately experienced surgeon. Furthermore, performance plateaus in enucleation efficiency and enucleation time were reached roughly twice as quickly by the highly experienced surgeon. Additionally, the highly experienced surgeon required only about half the laser energy (kJ) compared to the moderately experienced counterpart.

Safety and tolerability data were not reported in this analysis. The study noted that the feasibility and safety of training for ThuLEP were feasible and safe when conducted within a structured training program. No adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, or specific tolerability metrics were provided in the available data. Key limitations regarding the study design, setting, or funding were not reported in the input data.

The clinical relevance of these findings lies in the observation that prior experience in HoLEP may correlate with faster proficiency acquisition in ThuLEP when structured training is utilized. However, because the evidence is observational and specific safety metrics were not reported, these results should be interpreted with caution. Clinicians should recognize that while functional outcomes were consistent, the speed of proficiency acquisition varied significantly based on prior surgical experience.