Pulsed Thulium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate—Ultra Slim (MiPThuLEP-Ultra Slim): Total En Bloc Technique with Early, Ascending, Progressive, and Controlled Sphincter Disinsertion Without Mucosal Bridge

Introduction: Benign prostatic obstruction is a leading cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in aging males. Anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate has emerged as a gold standard surgical approach; however, its adoption is limited due to the risk of urethral trauma, sphincteric injury, and a steep learning curve. The MiPThuLEP-Ultra Slim technique addresses these concerns by combining pulsed thulium laser energy with ultra-slim bipolar instrumentation (18.5 Fr), enabling complete en bloc enucleation with early, progressive, and controlled sphincter disinsertion while minimizing mucosal and capsular trauma. Materials and Methods: A 52-year-old male with a 6-year history of progressive LUTS (IPSS 18, Qmax 13 mL/s, PVR 300 mL) and a prostate volume of 51 cc underwent enucleation using the MiPThuLEP-Ultra Slim technique. Urethrocystoscopy demonstrated trilobar growth, a 3 cm prostatic urethra, and bladder trabeculation. The procedure utilized an 18.5 Fr bipolar resectoscope with a 0.8 mm laser channel, a 30° 2.9 mm optic, and a continuous irrigation system. A pulsed thulium laser (Cyber TM , 100 W) with a 600 µm fiber was used. Settings were adjusted to 60 W (0.6 J at 100 Hz) for mucosal incision and hemostasis and 100 W (2 J at 50 Hz) for adenoma dissection, with a short pulse width of <500 µs. Morcellation was performed using a 22 Fr morcelloscope and a Hawk blade under direct 0° visualization. Irrigation was gravity-fed using a saline bag 60 cm above the patient and connected to an inverted, single-entry metallic cone for closed-loop flow without bladder decompression. Surgical Technique: Step 1: Identification of the dissection plane at the verumontanum—left lobe commissure. Step 2: Mirror incision on the right lobe, forming an inverted U. Step 3: Left sphincter disinsertion 3 mm below mucosa, ascending to 12 o’clock. Step 4: Right sphincter disinsertion with symmetric technique. Step 5: Enucleation of the anterior apex using capsular fibers as an anatomical reference. Step 6: Circumferential detachment of the adenoma toward the bladder, preserving capsule contact. Step 7: Entry into the bladder at 12 o’clock via inverted U incision. Step 8: Clockwise bladder neck shaping (12–5 o’clock), identifying the left ureteral orifice. Step 9: Counterclockwise bladder neck dissection (12–7 o’clock), identifying the right ureteral orifice. Step 10: Detachment of posterior junction (5–7 o’clock) and targeted laser hemostasis. Step 11: Morcellation without bladder decompression using closed, gravity-based irrigation. Results: Operative time was 60 minutes. The enucleated lobe weighed 49 g. Blood loss was minimal (50 mL). The catheter was removed after 18 hours. At the 1-month follow-up, the patient reported no incontinence or hematuria. IPSS improved to 6, and Qmax to 18 mL/s. No strictures or bladder neck contractures were observed. Pathology confirmed benign prostatic hyperplasia. Conclusion: MiPThuLEP-Ultra Slim enables safe, efficient enucleation in medium-sized prostates (<80 g) using ultra-slim instrumentation and precise, energy-controlled dissection. It reduces morbidity, preserves continence, and offers reproducible outcomes. Patient Consent: Written informed consent for video recording and publication was obtained and archived. The authors declare no financial support or industry affiliation. Runtime of video: 9 mins 10 secs.

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Journal
Videourology
Published
2025-01-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/21511136251365798
Primary Topic
Urinary Bladder and Prostate Research
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article

Pulsed Thulium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate—Ultra Slim (MiPThuLEP-Ultra Slim): Total En Bloc Technique with Early, Ascending, Progressive, and Controlled Sphincter Disinsertion Without Mucosal Bridge

José Ramón Fontenla García, Alejandro Escalante Alvaro, Julisa Daniela Rios Bellido
Videourology
Urinary Bladder and Prostate Research
article

Pulsed Thulium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate—Ultra Slim (MiPThuLEP-Ultra Slim): Total En Bloc Technique with Early, Ascending, Progressive, and Controlled Sphincter Disinsertion Without Mucosal Bridge

José Ramón Fontenla García, Alejandro Escalante Alvaro, Julisa Daniela Rios Bellido
article en

Abstract

Introduction: Benign prostatic obstruction is a leading cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in aging males. Anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate has emerged as a gold standard surgical approach; however, its adoption is limited due to the risk of urethral trauma, sphincteric injury, and a steep learning curve. The MiPThuLEP-Ultra Slim technique addresses these concerns by combining pulsed thulium laser energy with ultra-slim bipolar instrumentation (18.5 Fr), enabling complete en bloc enucleation with early, progressive, and controlled sphincter disinsertion while minimizing mucosal and capsular trauma. Materials and Methods: A 52-year-old male with a 6-year history of progressive LUTS (IPSS 18, Qmax 13 mL/s, PVR 300 mL) and a prostate volume of 51 cc underwent enucleation using the MiPThuLEP-Ultra Slim technique. Urethrocystoscopy demonstrated trilobar growth, a 3 cm prostatic urethra, and bladder trabeculation. The procedure utilized an 18.5 Fr bipolar resectoscope with a 0.8 mm laser channel, a 30° 2.9 mm optic, and a continuous irrigation system. A pulsed thulium laser (Cyber TM , 100 W) with a 600 µm fiber was used. Settings were adjusted to 60 W (0.6 J at 100 Hz) for mucosal incision and hemostasis and 100 W (2 J at 50 Hz) for adenoma dissection, with a short pulse width of <500 µs. Morcellation was performed using a 22 Fr morcelloscope and a Hawk blade under direct 0° visualization. Irrigation was gravity-fed using a saline bag 60 cm above the patient and connected to an inverted, single-entry metallic cone for closed-loop flow without bladder decompression. Surgical Technique: Step 1: Identification of the dissection plane at the verumontanum—left lobe commissure. Step 2: Mirror incision on the right lobe, forming an inverted U. Step 3: Left sphincter disinsertion 3 mm below mucosa, ascending to 12 o’clock. Step 4: Right sphincter disinsertion with symmetric technique. Step 5: Enucleation of the anterior apex using capsular fibers as an anatomical reference. Step 6: Circumferential detachment of the adenoma toward the bladder, preserving capsule contact. Step 7: Entry into the bladder at 12 o’clock via inverted U incision. Step 8: Clockwise bladder neck shaping (12–5 o’clock), identifying the left ureteral orifice. Step 9: Counterclockwise bladder neck dissection (12–7 o’clock), identifying the right ureteral orifice. Step 10: Detachment of posterior junction (5–7 o’clock) and targeted laser hemostasis. Step 11: Morcellation without bladder decompression using closed, gravity-based irrigation. Results: Operative time was 60 minutes. The enucleated lobe weighed 49 g. Blood loss was minimal (50 mL). The catheter was removed after 18 hours. At the 1-month follow-up, the patient reported no incontinence or hematuria. IPSS improved to 6, and Qmax to 18 mL/s. No strictures or bladder neck contractures were observed. Pathology confirmed benign prostatic hyperplasia. Conclusion: MiPThuLEP-Ultra Slim enables safe, efficient enucleation in medium-sized prostates (<80 g) using ultra-slim instrumentation and precise, energy-controlled dissection. It reduces morbidity, preserves continence, and offers reproducible outcomes. Patient Consent: Written informed consent for video recording and publication was obtained and archived. The authors declare no financial support or industry affiliation. Runtime of video: 9 mins 10 secs.

VideourologyVol. 39(1)
Universidad Nacional de San Agustin de Arequipa (PE)
Openalex Percentile: Top 61%
Urinary Bladder and Prostate Research
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