Transurethral prostatectomy or incision of the prostate in the treatment of prostatism caused by small benign prostates.

In a prospective, randomized study 21 patients with prostatism caused by small prostates (estimated weight less than 20 gram) had a transurethral prostatectomy (TURP), and 17 patients a transurethral incision of the prostate (TUI). In the TUI group operation time and blood loss was significantly less than in the TURP group, while there was no intergroup difference in postoperative fever greater than 38 degrees C, antibiotic treatment, number of days with indwelling catheter or days of hospitalization after surgery. Three patients in the TUI group had repeated surgery. In the TURP group one patient underwent reoperation and one was discharged with a permanent indwelling catheter. Thirty-three patients had a follow-up of 3 months. Both surgical procedures significantly improved symptoms and maximum flow rates, and there was no intergroup difference of the surgical outcome. Forty-five per cent in the TURP group developed retrograde ejaculation versus none in the TUI group. In this preliminary report TUI was as effective as TURP in relieving bladder outlet obstruction caused by small prostates.