Transurethral resection of prostate via perineal urethrostomy. Prospective study.

A controlled, prospective clinical study was undertaken to determine the incidence and cause of urethral strictures after transurethral resection. Patients were assigned to 1 of 3 groups. Group A consisted of patients in whom it was considered preferable for various reasons to perform prostatic resection through perineal urethrostomy; therefore, these were excluded from randomization. All other patients were randomized using a sealed-envelope method into Group B who underwent resection via perineal urethrostomy and Group C who underwent resection via the entire urethra. Strictures occurred in 6 of 42 patients in Group C postoperatively while patients in Group B remained free of strictures. This difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.05). It was concluded that strictures which occur result from the use of the resectoscope through the entire urethra and not from the use of indwelling catheters, and that performing prostatic resection via perineal urethrostomy is valuable in preventing the occurrence of such strictures.