- Design
- Retrospective international multicentre registry
- Population
- 1,887 men having waterjet ablation; 109 after previous BPH intervention
- Primary outcome
- Complications and functional outcomes, salvage vs first-time
- Effect
- No significant differences in complications, retreatment, IPSS or flow (all p > 0.05)
This international registry analysis included 1,887 consecutive men treated with robotic waterjet ablation at four centres between 2018 and 2024; 109 (5.8%) had undergone a previous BPH procedure.
Prostate volumes were similar (82 vs 78 mL). Perioperative complications, 30-day readmissions, retreatment and sexual function scores did not differ significantly between salvage and first-time patients, and improvements in flow rate, post-void residual, symptom score and quality of life were similar. Outcomes did not vary by type of previous procedure.
The salvage group was small and the analysis retrospective, with no comparison against other salvage options such as repeat TURP or enucleation. The data suggest waterjet ablation is a reasonable salvage choice where available, not that it is better than alternatives.
- Consider waterjet ablation as a salvage option after a failed BPH procedure where it is available.
- Outcomes and complications were similar to those in first-time patients.
- No head-to-head comparison with repeat TURP or enucleation was made.
- Check local availability; repeat resection and enucleation remain established salvage routes.
Why it matters
Men whose first BPH procedure fails often have few attractive options that preserve ejaculation.
Don't overread it
Retrospective registry with a small salvage group and no alternative-treatment comparator.
The statistics, in plain English
'No significant difference' with only 109 salvage patients means large differences are unlikely, but smaller ones could have been missed.
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