Holmium versus bipolar en bloc transurethral resection of urinary bladder tumors: a randomized controlled trial

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Higazy A.; Lotfy A.; Tawfeek A.M.; Ali A.; Radwan A.
Journal: Central European Journal of Urology
Publisher: Polish Urological Association
Publication Date: 2026
Volume / Issue: Volume 79 / Issue 2
Pages: 111–117
ISSN: 20804806
Scopus: View on Scopus
Document Type: Article
Access: All Open Access; Green Open Access
Authors and Affiliations
Higazy A., Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Lotfy A., Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Tawfeek A.M., Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Ali A., Royal United Hospital, Bath, United Kingdom, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Radwan A., Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Abstract
Introduction The study evaluated the safety, efficacy, and pathological outcomes of holmium laser en bloc resection of bladder tumor (HoL-ERBT) vs bipolar en bloc resection of bladder tumor (Bp-ERBT). Material and methods Adult patients with bladder masses less than 5 cm with no signs of extravesical extension on preoperative imaging were included in our study and were randomly allocated to two equal groups representing HoL-ERBT and Bp-ERBT. The primary outcome was the conversion rate of the surgical technique in each group to either conventional resection or using another energy source. Secondary outcomes were perioperative complications and pathological evaluation outcomes in each group. Results Ninety-four patients were finally evaluated in our study. Demographic data and tumor characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The surgical conversion rate was higher in the Bp-ERBT group (9 cases) compared to the HoL-ERBT group (4 cases) (p = 0.038). No obturator nerve reflex was observed in the HoL-ERBT group compared to 8 cases in the Bp-ERBT group. Perioperative complications were comparable between the two groups. Pathological assessment revealed better T1 substaging and fewer thermal artifacts in the HoL-ERBT group (p-value 0.011 and 0.027, respectively). Conclusions Both holmium laser and bipolar energy sources are safe and effective in en bloc bladder tumor resection. HoL-ERBT showed a superior safety profile with no occurrence of ONR and a lower conversion rate, and offers an enhanced tumor pathological assessment regarding T1 substaging and the artifact score. © 2026, Polish Urological Association. All rights reserved.
Keywords
bipolar; bladder tumors; en bloc resection; holmium laser; transurethral resection of bladder tumor
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 0
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