Ethics, logistics and a trial of transurethral versus open prostatectomy

An increased long-term morbidity rate after transurethral compared with open prostatectomy has recently been claimed on the basis of retrospective studies of operations done up to 20 years ago. These studies have led to a demand for a prospective trial. Most reports show that peri-operative mortality following prostatectomy is virtually confined to unfit men over 80 years old. Before agreeing to participate in a trial we examined our operative mortality in this group of patients. Between 1981 and 1987, 123 octogenarians underwent transurethral prostatectomy: 64 operations were elective and 59 were performed for retention. There were 2 operative deaths (1.6%), both from gram-negative septicaemia despite prophylactic antibiotics. There were no additional deaths in the first 12 months following surgery. Few of these patients would have been considered fit to undergo an open prostatectomy. Any proposed randomised trial would have to exclude such high risk patients until it can be shown that open prostatectomy is equally safe.