Comparative Outcomes of Rezūm Versus EchoLaser for Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia With Enlarged Median Lobe.

This is a single-center, prospective, randomized, active-controlled trial aiming to compare the clinical efficacy, safety profile, and functional outcomes of Rezūm water vapor thermal therapy versus EchoLaser transperineal laser ablation (TPLA). The trial focuses on symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia patients with a prostate volume between 30 mL and 80 mL and a confirmed enlarged intravesical median lobe. Eighty eligible male patients will be randomized 1:1 into two interventional groups: Group 1 (Rezūm Group): 40 patients will receive transurethral water vapor thermal therapy. The procedure involves targeted 9-second steam injections into the transition zone, alongside mandatory injections directed explicitly into the intravesical protruding median lobe to induce coagulative necrosis. Group 2 (EchoLaser TPLA Group): 40 patients will receive Transperineal Laser Ablation. Under real-time transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guidance, optical fibers will deliver continuous-wave diode laser energy (1064 nm) directly to the adenoma and the obstructing median lobe. Patients will undergo clinical, functional, and safety assessments at 1, 3, and 6 months post-operatively. Follow-up evaluations include uroflowmetry (peak urinary flow rate and post-void residual volume), symptom assessment via IPSS, and sexual health evaluation using IIEF-5 and MSHQ-EjD questionnaires. Morphological changes, specifically the reduction in Total Prostate Volume (TPV) and median lobe volume, will be confirmed using TRUS or mpMRI at the 6-month follow-up. Postoperative complications will be monitored and systematically graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification system.

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria

Male patients aged 50 years or older.

Diagnosis of symptomatic BPH with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms, defined as an IPSS ≥ 12.

Total prostate volume between 30 mL and 80 mL, confirmed via Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) or mpMRI.

Presence of an enlarged, obstructing intravesical median lobe visualized via imaging or baseline cystoscopy.

Peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) between 5 and 15 mL/s with a minimum voided volume of ≥ 125 mL.

Exclusion criteria

Confirmed or suspected prostate cancer (e.g., PSA > 4.0 ng/mL without a subsequent negative prostate biopsy or MRI).

History of prior surgical interventions for BPH (e.g., TURP, HOLEP, or other MISTs).

Presence of urethral strictures, bladder neck contracture, or established neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

Active urinary tract infection (UTI) or an episode of acute urinary retention requiring an indwelling catheter at the time of screening.

Previous pelvic radiation therapy or severe pelvic trauma.

Inability to safely pause anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy per standard hospital perioperative protocols, if applicable.