Journal of Clinical Medicine
Urethral Stricture with a Miniaturised (22 Fr) Versus Standard (26 Fr) Resectoscope Sheath During Thulium Fibre Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: A Prospective, Two-Centre Comparative Cohort Study
By İbrahim Buldu, Mustafa Bilal Hamarat, Burak Yılmaz and 2 others.
Abstract
Objectives
We aimed to compare the observed rates of postoperative urethral stricture between patients undergoing thulium fibre laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuFLEP) using a 22 Fr miniaturised instrument strategy and those treated using a standard 26 Fr strategy.
Methods
This prospective, two-centre comparative cohort study included 208 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and a prostate volume of less than 150 mL who underwent thulium fibre laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuFLEP) between 2024 and 2026. Patients were grouped according to the resectoscope sheath used at each centre: Group 1 comprised 99 patients treated with a 22 Fr miniaturised sheath and Group 2 comprised 109 patients treated with a standard 26 Fr sheath. The primary endpoint was the development of postoperative urethral stricture. Patient demographics and preoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes were also recorded.