Effects of serum acid phosphatase [correction of phosphate] elevation following transurethral prostatectomy on long-term mortality.

Studies of surgery for symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction in men suggest that a possible higher long-term mortality occurs in patients having transurethral prostatectomy compared with patients having an open prostatectomy. It is the purpose of this study to determine if intraoperative factors affect the long-term survival of patients having transurethral prostate resection for benign prostate hypertrophy. In 158 consecutive patients having transurethral prostatectomy for benign adenoma who were followed for eight years, 28 patients died during the follow-up period. In comparing those patients who are alive with those patients who have died, there was no significant difference at the time of surgery in intraoperative irrigant absorption as indicated by changes in serum sodium and there was no significant difference in the intraoperative absorption of prostate tissue substances as indicated by changes in serum acid phosphatase. The only factor in this study associated with long-term survival was age of the patient at the time of surgery with older patients having a higher long-term mortality. This study suggests that age of the patient rather than intraoperative factors is associated with long-term survival following transurethral prostatectomy.