Tonglin Decoction combined with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Objective This study evaluated the efficacy of Tonglin Decoction combined with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods A total of 150 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who underwent transurethral holmium laser enucleation were selected as study participants. All patients were divided into Tonglin Decoction + HoLEP (n = 75) and HoLEP (n = 75) groups according to the random number table method. Results Compared with the HoLEP group, the bladder irrigation time, intraoperative blood loss, catheter insertion time, postoperative hospital stay, and lithotripsy time were significantly reduced in the combination group ( P < 0.05). Patients receiving combination therapy had significantly lower serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 compared with those in the HoLEP group ( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in preoperative urethral function between the two groups ( P > 0.05). After treatment, compared with the HoLEP group, the residual urine output, IPSS score, and related adverse reactions in the combination group were significantly reduced ( P < 0.05). The combination group demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in quality of life and attenuated the postoperative decline in sexual function compared to HoLEP alone. Specifically, postoperative World Health Organization Quality of Life Measurement Form scores were significantly higher in the combination group than in the HoLEP group across all four domains ( P < 0.05). Similarly, after treatment, the International Erectile Function Index-5 score in the combination group was 21.32 ± 3.52 points, which was significantly higher than 17.74 ± 3.48 points in the HoLEP group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion In patients with BPH, this combined regimen can effectively reduce inflammatory cytokine levels, decrease the incidence of complications, and improve lower urinary tract symptoms, sexual function, and quality of life.