A Bloemfontein urologist performed the first Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) procedure at the Life Rosepark Hospital in Bloemfontein.
On 27 July Dr Wickus Fourie, assisted by Pretoria-based urologist Dr Thys Engelbrecht successfully removed obstructive prostate tissue from a patient via HoLEP. The hospital recently acquired the new laser system, which can treat large kidney stones and resect tissue for delicate procedures.
According to Fourie the advantage of performing laser prostatectomy versus conventional resection is that more tissue can be removed with less blood loss.
The whole procedure is performed endoscopically without any incision.
The urinary catheter can also be removed sooner, which is a relief to patient, as this means an earlier hospital discharge.
