Abstract

Introduction: The aim of our study was to compare the results of conventional transurethral electroresection of the prostate (TURP) and transurethral vaporization and resection of the prostate (TUVRP) operations in patients with symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction due to prostatic enlargement.

Materials and Methods: 59 consecutive patients with symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction due to prostatic enlargement and prostate size between 20-60 g were prospectively randomized to two treatment groups; one group underwent standard TURP and the other TUVRP. Eligibility criteria included IPSS result 8 or grater, Qmax <15 ml/sec and prostate volume of 20 to 60 gm on transrectal ultrasonography. Patients less than 50 years old and those with a known neurogenic bladder, cancer of the prostate or bladder, history of prostate surgery or currently taking medications known to affect voiding function (alfa blockers) were excluded from this study.

Patients were followed-up at 1, 3 and 12 months after treatment. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum flow rate (Qmax), post-voiding residual urine volume (PVR) and transrectal ultrasound results were recorded during the follow-up period. Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis, Wilcoxon test and Bonferroni corrected Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis to compare the preoperative and postoperative data.

Results: With respect to efficacy parameters (IPSS, Qmax, PVR and prostate volume) we did not observe statistically significant difference among those groups (TURP and TUVRP). Also the complications were similar on both groups.

Conclusions: TUVRP seems to be a safe and efficacious modification of TURP (with) and the main advantage of this technique is to produce a more accurate TURP operation with less hemorrhage by improving surgeon’s comfort during the resection.