Muscat: The surgery team at Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC) has performed the first minimally invasive treatment for an enlarged prostate using a holmium laser.

Dr. Hilal Al Rashdi, Consultant of Urology Oncology said: “Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) treatment provides a lasting solution for an enlarged prostate, which is similar to open prostate surgery but requires no incisions. In the HoLEP procedure, we use a laser to remove tissue that is blocking urine flow through the prostate.”

(HoLEP) is an advanced technique, which can offer faster recovery of less than 24 hours instead of 7 days with traditional prostate surgery, reduces the risk of bleeding after the operation, especially for patients who use blood-thinning drugs, and reduces the need for a catheter tube from 5 days to 24 hours.

Al Rashdi added: “HoLEP also preserves the removed tissue so it can be examined in the laboratory for other conditions, including prostate cancer.”

He also pointed out that, the holmium laser is used to treat various conditions, including prostatectomy, lithotripsy in the bladder, ureter, and kidneys, treating ureteral strictures, in addition to the removal of tumors in the bladder and urinary tract.