Transurethral incision versus transurethral resection of the prostate for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy. A preliminary report.

Thirty-seven patients with prostatism and an estimated prostatic weight of less than or equal to 20 g were randomly allocated to transurethral incision or resection of the prostate. Both procedures had an 85% success rate as judged by patients' personal evaluation. At 3 and 12 months follow-up a significant and identical improvement was noted in symptom score and uroflowmetry in the two groups. Postoperative catheterization time and hospital stay was only half as long in the incision group as in the resection group. No patients became impotent as a consequence of the procedures. Frequency of retrograde ejaculation was 28% in the incision group versus 100% in resected patients. Incision of the prostate is easy to perform and seems to be followed by less severe complications. It has a high patient acceptability and may cut the cost of transurethral surgery.