Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple Performs 1000th HoLEP Procedure That Improves Men’s Quality of Life

In mid-October, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple conducted its 1000^th holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), a minimally invasive procedure that can address benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH can prevent the bladder from emptying properly and could lead to kidney damage or failure. It also impacts quality of life in about one third of men older than 50 years old.

The 1000^th procedure marks a major milestone in the program’s five-year history. Since September 2015, Baylor Scott & White – Temple has averaged almost 200 HoLEP procedures a year, one of the highest volumes among U.S. medical centers and the highest in Texas.   

“We continue to see how this procedure changes the lives of men with an enlarged prostate,” said Marawan El Tayeb, MD, PhD, a urologist who specializes in benign prostatic enlargement and kidney stones on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White – Temple. “We feel fortunate to help improve our patients’ quality of life with this procedure.” 

The hospital’s program draws patients from throughout the region, including from Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Conroe, Bryan, Lubbock, Abilene, and from as far as Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Illinois. After the procedure, 99% of patients stayed in the hospital less than 24 hours. Patients experienced a success rate of relieving urinary retention of 99.7%, an incontinence rate of less than 1%, a blood transfusion rate less than 2%, and a complication rate of less than 2%.

“Our team’s commitment to providing quality care for men through this life-changing procedure is truly remarkable,” said Erin Bird, MD, director for the division of urology at Baylor Scott & White – Temple. “We know this procedure is helping our patients recover, allowing them to enjoy activities that are most important to them.”

Committed to innovative research, training the next generation

The division of urology at Baylor Scott & White – Temple is staffed by board-certified urologists on the medical staff who provide advanced services for evaluation, consultation and medical and surgical treatment of urologic disorders. The team is also involved in research and ongoing clinical trials to bring new treatments to the forefront. In addition to conducting clinical research, the program provides training for urology residents to make this procedure more readily available in the United States.

The program continues to grow through research collaboration with other medical institutions to share best practices to improve outcomes. For more information, visit HoLEP at Baylor Scott & White.