Transurethral vaporization of the prostate in the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction at two university hospitals.

Transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TVAP) is a new technique for the surgical treatment of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The primary advantage of TVAP appears to be shortened hospitalization and less bleeding than is associated with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Since February 1995, 66 consecutive men with bladder outlet obstruction (47 with persistent voiding symptoms and 19 in complete urinary retention) secondary to prostatic disease underwent TVAP at two university hospitals. TVAP was utilized in all patients regardless of prostate size. The mean length of follow-up was 3.2 months. All 19 men in complete retention were able to void adequately following surgery with a mean postvoid residual volume of 18cc and a mean International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) of 7.5. In the remaining patients, the I-PSS decreased from a mean of 19.6 to 8.4. Pre- and postoperative peak urinary flow rate data were available in 17 men and increased from 9 to 18 cc/s. Limited transurethral resection of prostatic tissue at the completion of TVAP was necessary to adequately relieve bladder outlet obstruction in 18% (12/66) of patients. Hospitalization of < 24 h was needed in 68% (45/66) patients. The urinary catheter was removed within 1 day of surgery in 68% (45/66) of men as well. Seven patients required catheter replacement postoperatively due to difficulty voiding (five men) or bleeding (two men). No patient required blood transfusion. TVAP is effective in relieving bladder outlet obstruction in men with and without urinary retention. The majority of patients require brief or no hospitalization and are able to void adequately within 24 h of surgery. TVAP appears to be less effective in men with large prostate glands, and limited TURP is more frequently needed in these cases. The long-term results of TVAP will require further study.