Cognitive impairment after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

It has been suggested that cognitive impairment may occur following transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) operations due to the effects of anaesthesia or hyponatraemia or both. The aim of the study was to investigate whether TURP was associated with long-term memory complaints or cognitive impairment.

Patients who had received a TURP or transurethral resection of a bladder tumour (TURT) in the previous 10 months were sent a questionnaire on memory problems and mood. Seventy-six TURP patients and 38 TURT patients returned the completed questionnaires. A sample of each patient group (30 TURP, 29 TURT) was assessed on standardized tests of cognitive abilities.

There was no significant difference between the TURP and TURT patients on the Everyday Memory Questionnaire completed by themselves or by a family member (p > 0.05). On formal cognitive testing there were no significant differences between the groups, except on the overall grading of the Kendrick Assessment Scales of Cognitive Ageing, in which TURP patients performed at a significantly lower level than TURT patients.

The results suggest that patients are no more likely to complain of memory problems following a TURP than with any other operative procedure. There was a slight difference in cognitive abilities but this did not indicate significant impairment of cognitive function.