The efficacy of transurethral resection of the prostate in men with moderate symptoms of prostatism.

Transurethral resection of the prostate represents the operation most commonly performed by urologists in the United States. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of transurethral prostatectomy in men with moderate symptoms of prostatism. The efficacy parameters evaluated included peak urinary flow rate, obstructive and irritative symptom scores, and the global assessment by the patient of the voiding symptomatology. The mean peak urinary flow rate improved 108% after transurethral prostatectomy, and the mean obstructive and irritative symptom scores decreased 88 and 65%, respectively. The observed changes in urinary flow rates and symptom scores were statistically and clinically significant. Over-all, 84% of the patients indicated that the voiding symptoms were markedly improved after prostatic resection. Baseline urodynamic parameters were of no value for prediction of postoperative outcome. Several investigators recently reported their clinical experience with various pharmacological approaches for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Over-all, the degree of improvement in urinary flow rates and symptom scores achieved after transurethral prostatectomy exceeds all other therapeutic options that presently are available for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.