Last November, Humber River Health (Humber) became the first hospital in the GTA to perform the HoLEP procedure to treat large benign prostate cases. 12 months later, Humber’s Urology Program is proud to announce that they have successfully completed 100 HoLEP procedures for patients in our community.  

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), more commonly known as “enlarged prostates,” is a problem that affects nearly all men in their lifetime. Traditionally, minimally invasive treatments in the GTA were only available for men with smaller prostates. Men with larger prostates had to undergo an open prostatectomy, which involved making a four-to-five-inch incision in the lower abdomen to remove the prostate and surrounding tissue. This type of open procedure often leads to increased medical risks, more blood loss, and longer hospital stays. But then along came HoLEP.  

HoLEP, which stands for Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate, is a minimally invasive procedure in which urologists use a laser to eliminate extra tissue from the prostate that may be blocking urine flow – this is known as ‘enucleation.’ They then use a piece of equipment called a Piranha Morcellator to remove the prostate tissue by breaking it down into smaller pieces and gently removing them through the urethra. Under the leadership of Urologists Dr. Olivier Heimrath, Dr. Jack Barkin, and Dr. Luke Fazio, Humber became the first hospital in the GTA to offer this approach to patients in November 2023. 

The HoLEP procedure minimizes the impact on the patient – limits their bleeding, limits their risk of complications, limits their hospital stays – yet optimizes their outcomes and overall healthcare experience.  

This innovative and technological approach further exemplifies that at Humber, innovation is not a luxury, but a necessity. We are transforming healthcare – and are just getting started.