Four-year outcome of a prospective randomised trial comparing bipolar plasmakinetic and monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate.

BACKGROUND

No data have been published on the midterm efficacy of bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate 4-yr results from a prospective randomised trial comparing bipolar TURP with standard monopolar TURP.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Seventy patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia were enrolled in this prospective randomised controlled trial in a tertiary-care institution. Inclusion criteria were age > 50 yr, good performance status, urinary retention, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) > or = 18, and maximal flow rate (Q(max)) < or = 15 ml/s. Exclusion criteria were prostate volume < 30 cm(3), documented or suspected prostate cancer, neurogenic bladder, bladder stone or diverticula, urethral stricture, and maximal bladder capacity > 500 ml.

INTERVENTION

Patients underwent standard or bipolar plasmakinetic TURP performed by the same surgeon using the same surgical technique.

MEASUREMENTS

Treatment efficacy was evaluated at 1, 2, 3, and 4 yr by comparing urinary flow rates, IPSS, and estimated postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume. Midterm complications were also recorded.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

The number of dropouts was not statistically significantly different in the two groups (p=0.2). The significant improvements in both groups were maintained at 4 yr for the IPSS, quality of life score, Q(max), and PVR versus baseline values. The main outcome variables at 4 yr for bipolar and monopolar TURP were mean IPSS 6.9 and 6.4 (p=0.58); mean Q(max) 19.8 ml/s and 21.2 ml/s (p=0.44), and mean PVR volume 42 ml and 45 ml (p=0.3). Overall, 2 of 32 (6.2%) and 3 of 31 (9.6%) patients required reoperation because of late complications (p=0.15). The major study limitation was the small sample size.

CONCLUSIONS

This study represents the secondary, midterm analysis of a previously published trial. Our 4-yr data confirm our initial positive findings for the efficacy and safety of bipolar plasmakinetic TURP. Larger well-designed studies are needed to corroborate these findings.