Forty years of transurethral prostatic resections

The 4 consecutive series of transurethral prostatic resections compared were done by the senior authors during a period of nearly 40 years: 420 cases in 1937 to 1938, 520 cases in 1940 to 1945, 480 cases in 1950 to 1955 and 270 cases in 1972 to 1973. The most notable improvements in the recent series are the fewer patients with temperatures more than 100 degrees (69 virsus 29 per cent) and the improved mortality rate (5.5 verus 0.7 per cent). In our opinion these improvements are owing to antibacterial medication, improved instruments, more skillful performance of the operation, the use of isotonic irrigating fluid and improved postoperative care.