Prostatic desiccation used in poor-risk patients with benign and malignant prostatic obstruction.

A small percentage of patients with infra-vesical obstruction cannot tolerate open or transurethral prostatectomy. In these cases cryoprostatectomy is a possibility, we have, however, used another method based on heat destruction of the tissue. The results in 24 poor-risk patients were satisfactory, without any serious postoperative complications, and with excellent long-term results in 80% of the cases. The only complication is a high rate of incontinence. Until this problem has been solved the procedure should be reserved for poor-risk patients.