10 years of laser prostate surgery at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital

In June 2013, the first patient received laser prostate surgery at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital (L&D), and over 1,600 cases later, the Urology department are celebrating their 10^th anniversary.

Known as HoLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate), this surgery helps men who have difficulty passing urine or end up with a catheter from an enlarged prostate.

The team at the L&D have performed the highest number of HoLEPs with a low-power laser in the UK with excellent results and over half of patients operated as day-case surgery.

Apart from being offered as day-case surgery, meaning that the majority of patients can return to the comfort of their own home the same day, patients require a catheter for a shorter length of time after the operation and very few need an additional operation in their lifetime for further enlargement of their prostate. Therefore, this is a proven cost-effective treatment for the NHS.

The team, lead by Mr Farooq Khan and Mr Asad Saleemi, includes Mr Barney Barrass and Mr Anish Pushkaran, who have presented their outcome data at the international American, European and British meetings on multiple occasions.

The team teach budding HoLEP surgeons through nationally recognised training, allowing surgeons to take this technique to benefit patients around the country.

Until recently, Mr Khan and Mr Saleemi ran a national twice yearly HoLEP masterclass and are invited speakers and senior faculty members teaching this surgical technique around the country.

With the support of all members of the Urology department, the HoLEP service has received excellent feedback for its training and has recently upgraded and expanded the laser machines ready for the next 10 years, with the ambition to continue to remain a high volume national training unit.

In addition, Mr Khan and the team have lead on the introduction of further treatments to help men with urinary symptoms, specifically Urolift in 2018 and Rezum in 2023.  All treatments are available at the L&D for patients in Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

Mr Farooq Khan, Consultant Urologist at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital said: “We are extremely proud to have performed over 1,600 cases of HoLEP since 2013 and to have made a difference to the lives of so many patients during this time. It’s a fantastic achievement, a real team effort and we look forward to providing this care alongside our latest treatment offerings over the coming years.”