DrillCutTM vs. VersaCutTM prostate tissue morcellation devices after holmium laser enucleation: A prospective, randomized controlled trial

Introduction: We aimed to compare efficacy, safety, and cost of disposables of the DrillCutTM morcellator with the VersaCutTM morcellator after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).Methods: After obtaining ethical approval, consecutive patients undergoing HoLEP for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia were randomized to have their enucleated prostates morcellated by either Karl Storz® DrillCutTM or Lumenis® VersaCutTM morcellators. All procedures were performed by two experienced urologists. Patients’ demographics and perioperative data were recorded. Both morcellators were compared for their safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness.Results: Eighty-two patients were included in the study (41 per each arm). Both groups were comparable in terms of age, preoperative prostate size (114 vs. 112 mL; p>0.05), enucleation time (95.3 vs. 91.7 minutes; p>0.05), and morcellation time (22.6 vs. 17.3 minutes; p>0.05). The DrillCutTM was associated with significantly lower morcellation rate when compared with the VersaCutTM(3.6 vs. 4.9 g/min; p= 0.03). In terms of safety, there was no significant difference between both morcellators in complication rates (2.4% vs. 7.3 %; p=0.1). However, there was one case of bladder perforation requiring exploration with the VersaCutTM. The DrillCutTM was associated with significantly higher cost of disposables when compared with the VersaCutTM ($247.5 vs. $160.9; p<0.01).Conclusions: Despite the small sample size, the DrillCutTM was associated with lower morcellation rate when compared with the VersaCutTM. However, this difference may not be clinically significant. Although both morcellators were comparable in their safety, the DrillCutTM was associated with higher cost of disposables when compared with the VersaCutTM.