[Innovative technique in large benign prostatic hyperplasia--enucleation by plasma vaporization].

OBJECTIVES

The trial evaluated a new endoscopic treatment alternative for large benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) cases, the bipolar plasma enucleation of the prostate (BPEP), in terms of surgical efficiency, safety and short-term postoperative results.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 30 patients with prostates larger than 80 ml were included in the study. All cases were investigated preoperatively and at 1 and 3 months after surgery by international prostate symptoms score (IPSS), quality of life score (QoL), maximum flow rate (Q(max)) and abdominal and transrectal ultrasonography.

RESULTS

All procedures were successfully performed. The enucleation and morcellation times were 69.8 minutes and 18.5 minutes, while the morcellated tissue weight was 77 grams. The mean hemoglobin drop was 0.8 g/dl and the mean catheterization period and hospital stay were 26.5 hours and 2.3 days. The rate of early irritative symptoms was 10%. At 1 and 3 months, significant improvements were determined concerning the IPSS (5.3 and 4.8), QoL (1.2 and 1.1) and Q(max) (25.9 and 25.1 ml/s).

CONCLUSIONS

BPEP represents a promising endoscopic approach in large BPH cases, characterized by good surgical efficacy, reduced morbidity, fast postoperative recovery and satisfactory follow-up parameters.