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Recruiting NCT04560907

Aquablation vs. Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Medium to Large Size Prostates

No phase Interventional Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Aquablation, HoLEP.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Basic parameters: from 45 years · Male.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Switzerland
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Official title

Aquablation vs. Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Medium to Large Size Prostates: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Overview

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases in men. As BPH progresses, surgical treatments often become necessary. Holmium enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is an established procedure in the surgical treatment of BPH, especially for medium to large prostates. The long learning curve, the length of surgery, and expensive equipment still limit the availability of HoLEP to a few specialized centers. Recently, a new method for treating BPH called aquablation has become commercially available. This technique uses real-time ultrasound imaging in combination with a robotic high-pressure water jet programmed and guided by the surgeon to resect prostate tissue. A RCT has shown functional results similar to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for small to medium size prostates . However, so far there are no controlled studies assessing whether Aquablation provides patient reported and functional outcomes that are non-inferior compared to HoLEP in medium size to large prostates (the latter cannot be operated by TURP due to its size limitations). As aquablation offers some obvious advantages compared to HoLEP regarding learning curve and operation time, the aim of this study is to test whether efficacy and safety of aquablation are non- inferior compared to HoLEP in patients with medium to large size prostates, which would clearly support the use of aquablation and change everyday clinical practice.

Interventions

  • Procedure Aquablation
    By means of a high-pressure saline stream, parenchymal tissue of the prostate is removed endoscopically through a heat-free mechanism called hydrodissection. The intervention is supported by live ultrasound guidance and the required depth as well as the angle of the resection is planned out prior to the resection. The bladder is accessed using a 24-Fr hand-piece, which accommodates the scope. The handpiece is supported by an articulating arm attached to the operation table. Once placed in the op
  • Procedure HoLEP
    This is done endoscopically under general anesthesia the three lobes of the prostate that are cored out intact with the laser are pushed into the bladder before being morcellated by a special instrument inserted through the telescopic camera. A catheter is placed into the bladder to drain the urine while the raw surface heals, then left in place for around 24 hours before being removed on the day of discharge from hospital. Sterile saline fluid is also irrigated into the bladder through the cath

Primary outcome measures

  • International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) [Time frame: 6 months]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Men ≥45 years of age
  • Patient must be a candidate for HoLEP
  • Refractory to medical therapy or patient is not willing to consider (further) medical treatment
  • Patient has a prostate size of at least 50 ml and not more than 150ml, measured by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)
  • IPSS ≥12
  • QoL≥3
  • Qmax ≤ 15 ml/s with a minimum voided volume ≥ 125 ml or patient in urinary retention
  • Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction
  • Urethral stenosis
  • Preinterventionally proven adenocarcinoma of the prostate
  • Nickel allergy
  • Not able to complete questionnaires due to cognitive or thought disorders
  • Language skills insufficient for informed consent and / or completion of questionnaires

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Open label
Primary purpose
Treatment

Study locations

Switzerland · 1 center
  • Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen — Sankt Gallen

Publications

  • Mullhaupt G, Gusewell S, Schmid HP, Zumstein V, Betschart P, Engeler DS, Abt D. Aquablation versus holmium laser enucleation of the prostate in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in medium-to-large-sized prostates (ATHLETE): protocol of a prospective randomised trial. BMJ Open. 2021 May 3;11(5):e046973. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046973. PMID 33941632

Identifiers

NCT: NCT04560907 · CantonalHSG

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗