Clinical Results of Transurethral Electro-Vaporization of the Prostate for Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Lee, Ho Gon; Park, Yong Il; Jo, Seong Ryung

Abstract

PURPOSE: We compared the outcome of transurethral electro-vaporization of the prostate (TVP) with that of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in patient with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fifty-four patients with BPH were treated with TVP (Group I) and sixty-two with TURP (Group II). Patients were assessed at baseline for both safety and efficacy and in follow-up at 1 and 3 months. Efficacy parameters evaluated included American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score, peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) and post-void residual urine volume (ml). Safety parameters evaluated included incidence of side effects, operative time, postoperative catheterization time, change in hematocrit and serum sodium.
RESULTS
The mean prostate size was 28.4+/-4.8gm in GroupI and 37.1+/-5.3gm in Group II. The mean operation time was shorter in Group I (48.2+/-10.5min) than in Group II (75.2+/-32.6min) (p<0.05). The change of hematocrit (%) was lower in Group I (from 40.2+/-4.1 to 38.7+/-4.1) than in Group II (from 40.3+/-3.8 to 34.9+/-5.5), (p<0.05). The mean catheterization time was 3.2+/-1.2 days and 4.9+/-1.9 days (p<0.05). The change of peak urinary flow rate, post-void residual urine volume, AUA symptom score, incidence of postoperative complications was not significantly different between each group.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the TURP is the gold standard for the treatment of symptomatic BPH with high success rate, significant morbidities are associated with this procedure. Our early clinical experience highlights several advantages of electro-vaporization, particulary the low incidence of postoperative morbidity.