Comparative Neurocognitive Outcomes Following Prostate Surgery

Overview

This prospective observational cohort study aims to evaluate postoperative cognitive outcomes in patients undergoing surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Two commonly used surgical techniques-Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) and Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)-will be compared. Cognitive function will be assessed before surgery and three months after surgery using validated neurocognitive and psychological assessment tools. The primary outcome measure is the change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score. Secondary outcomes include changes in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores. The study aims to determine whether the type of surgical technique independently influences postoperative cognitive function after adjusting for important patient-related factors such as age and educational level.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition among aging men and is one of the most frequent causes of lower urinary tract symptoms. When symptoms become moderate to severe and do not respond adequately to medical therapy, surgical treatment is recommended. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has long been considered the standard surgical approach for BPH, while Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) has emerged as an effective minimally invasive alternative with favorable perioperative outcomes. Although these procedures are widely used and generally considered safe, concerns remain regarding potential postoperative cognitive changes, particularly in elderly surgical populations. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction has been described after various surgical procedures and may affect patient recovery, functional independence, and quality of life. However, limited data are available regarding cognitive outcomes after BPH surgery, and direct comparisons between different surgical techniques remain scarce. Most previous studies assessing cognitive outcomes after urological surgery have relied on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), which may have limited sensitivity in detecting mild cognitive impairment. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a more sensitive tool that evaluates multiple cognitive domains including executive function, attention, memory, language, and visuospatial ability. This prospective observational cohort study aims to compare postoperative cognitive trajectories in patients undergoing HoLEP or TURP for symptomatic BPH. Eligible patients will undergo standardized cognitive and psychological assessments before surgery and three months postoperatively. The primary outcome is the change in MoCA score over time. Secondary outcomes include changes in MMSE, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores. Statistical analyses will evaluate longitudinal changes in cognitive outcomes and investigate whether surgical technique independently influences postoperative cognitive performance after adjustment for potential confounding factors such as age and educational level. The findings of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the neurocognitive safety of modern endoscopic prostate surgery and help clinicians and patients make more informed decisions when selecting the most appropriate surgical treatment for BPH.