Comparative early results of the sandwich technique and transurethral electroresection in benign prostatic...

No study has yet reported the comparative results of the sandwich technique and transurethral electroresection in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Thirty patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were divided into two groups, each consisting of 15 patients. The first group underwent the sandwich technique (transurethral electrovaporization-transurethral electroresection-transurethral electrovaporization) and the second group had transurethral electroresection alone (TURP). Preoperatively all patients underwent a digital examination and the determination of prostatic volume by transrectal ultrasonography, and a symptom score (IPSS), the maximal flow rate (Q (max)), post-void residual urine (PVR). Six months after the operation, all the variables were remeasured and the values compared with those before treatment and between the groups. The improvements in symptom score, residual urine and maximum flow rate were slightly better after the sandwich technique than after TURP but the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. Additionally, lower amounts of irrigant solution were used (P>0.05) and operative time was shorter in the sandwich group (P>0.05). Although the duration of catheterization in the sandwich group was lower than that of the TURP group (1.6 and 2.26 days respectively (P<0.05)), three patients (20%) required catheterization. Although the improvements in the objective parameters 6 months after, early indications showed that the sandwich technique results were almost the same as after TURP. There might be several advantages of this technique, particularly the fact that no blood transfusion is required and earlier removal of urethral catheter.Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diesases (2001) 4, 242-244.