Transurethral prostatectomy versus transurethral dilatation of the prostatic urethra for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a cost-utility analysis.

Transurethral prostatectomy is the treatment currently preferred for benign prostatic hyperplasia. A new procedure, transurethral dilatation of the prostatic urethra, has lower costs and mortality and complication rates but may be less effective. These two strategies were evaluated by using cost-utility analysis, a form of cost-effectiveness analysis in which the benefit is defined in terms of individual preferences. Under the model assumptions, the cost of transurethral dilatation is less than the cost of transurethral prostatectomy for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia ($7084 versus $8647) and slightly more effective: 11.787 quality adjusted life years versus 11.766. Thus, transurethral prostatectomy is said to be dominated. Results indicate that if patients are rigorously selected, and if balloon catheters of 30-35mm in size are utilized, transurethral dilatation could be the initial treatment of choice for eligible patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.