Safety and efficacy of bipolar energy for transurethral resection of bladder tumours: a prospective quasi-randomized study

Objective: The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bipolar energy in resecting bladder tumors.

Material and methods: The study was done between March 2012 and February 2013. This is a prospective quasi-randomized study evaluating the safety and efficacy of bipolar energy in transurethral resection of bladder tumours (TURBT). Institutional Ethics Committee approval was obtained. Informed consent was taken from all patients. Patients were randomized into two groups of 50 each to undergo either monopolar TURBT or bipolar TURBT using glycine and saline irrigation solutions, respectively.

Results: Most important of all, the means of variables were compared between the two energy sources to know the difference between them and its significance. Hematocrit level, resection time and obturator jerks had significant values.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that bipolar resection of bladder tumours have lower incidence of complications especially bleeding, TUR syndrome, obturator jerks and bladder perforation. Bipolar TURBT is safe and efficacious in managing bladder tumours.