TITLE:
Endoscopic Vaporization of the Prostate: A Mini-Invasive Option for the Treatment of Prostatism
AUTHORS:
Cyril Kamadjou, Divine Enoru Eyongeta, A. Kameni, Stephane Kohpe Kapseu, Marcel Tchagna, Herve Edouard Moby Mpah
KEYWORDS:
Endoscopic Vaporization of the Prostate, Prostatism, Douala
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.5,
May
22,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: To evaluate the results of endoscopic vaporization of the prostate (EVOP) in a Urology center in Douala, Cameroon. Methods: This retrospective study, conducted from January 2020 to December 2025, included 52 patients with symptomatic prostatism who, after failure of medical treatment, underwent EVOP using a bipolar generator. Data were collected from patients’ clinical records and analyzed using Epi Info version 7.2.7.0. P values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of our participants was 70.27 years ± 7.95 years, and 50% of them were above 70 years old. In 57.69% of cases, the presenting complaints were obstructive symptoms, while a combination of obstructive and irritative symptoms accounted for 17.3%. The median prostate volume was 55 [44.5 - 64] ml, while the median surgery duration was 68.5 [55 - 78.5] minutes, and the maximum catheterization duration was 3 days. Postoperative complications, mainly acute urinary retention, were observed in 4 (7.69%) patients. Patients with postoperative complications were older than those without. The prostate volume and surgery duration were significantly higher among those with postoperative complications. Conclusion: Endoscopic bipolar prostate vaporization is a viable minimally invasive alternative for the management of prostatism in elderly patients with moderately enlarged prostate glands. It is associated with short hospitalization, brief catheterization, few postoperative complications, and rapid societal reintegration; however, it is not very suitable for voluminous prostate glands.