Catheter-assisted transurethral resection of the prostate: a novel approach.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to compare the safety and efficacy of catheter-assisted transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with traditional TURP in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 61 men were randomized to either catheter-assisted TURP (30 patients) or traditional TURP (31), both performed with a monopolar device. Measurements included the duration of Foley catheterization, length of hospital stay, symptom score and urinary flow rate. All patients were followed for at least 1 year after surgery.

RESULTS: The catheter-assisted group had a significantly shorter operative time, duration of postoperative catheterization and length of stay. There were no significant differences in changes in serum sodium and hemoglobin level on postoperative day 1. At 1 year postoperatively, none of the patients suffered from urethral stricture and the 2 groups did not differ significantly in terms of prostatic volume, peak flow rate or International Prostate Symptom Score.

CONCLUSIONS: Catheter-assisted TURP is safe and produced results at 1 year similar to traditional TURP. This new method for TURP appears to be a better and more effective approach than the traditional method, although a longer period of observation is needed to assess the durability of the results.