Grading of benign prostatic obstruction can predict the outcome of transurethral prostatectomy.

PURPOSE

We investigate whether urodynamic grading of benign prostatic obstruction and detrusor contractility predicts the outcome of transurethral prostatectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 53 patients who were suitable candidates for transurethral prostatectomy completed an assessment protocol before and 3 months after surgery, which included International Prostate Symptom Score, uroflowmetry, ultrasonography (prostatic size and residual urine volume) and standard pressure flow study. The results of the pressure flow study were analyzed to grade obstruction (unequivocal, equivocal or no obstruction) and detrusor contractility (weak or normal) using our simplified pressure flow nomogram.

RESULTS

Analysis of the pressure flow study data demonstrated that the efficiency of detrusor contraction was weak in 6 of 27 men with unequivocal, 11 of 23 with equivocal and 2 of 3 with no obstruction. Treatment outcome was significantly better in patients with unequivocal obstruction and normal detrusor contractility. Treatment failure occurred in 80% of patients with equivocal obstruction and impaired detrusor contractility, and 100% of the unobstructed group. Urodynamic grading of obstruction and detrusor contractility predicted treatment outcome with a sensitivity of 87%, specificity 93% and positive predictive value 95%.

CONCLUSIONS

Urodynamic grading of benign prostatic obstruction and detrusor contractility can reliably predict treatment outcome and, therefore, enable the urologist to identify a subgroup of patients who would not benefit from surgery.