[Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate: results in the course of five years]

The most common surgical intervention for lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement has been transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TUVP) is a recent modification of TURP and has been used in Central Hospital Akureyri from 1997. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, complications, efficacy and clinical indications in patients undergoing TUVP with benign prostatic enlargement in five years period.

36 patients underwent TUVP in the period January 1997 to March 2002. Prospective registration was performed during the first 4-8 weeks after operation. The author evaluated all patients before the intervention. Conventional surgical instruments for transurethral surgery were used with a roller electrode instead of a loop and in half of the patients some tissue was removed with a loop.

The average age was 77.2 years (56-94) and average hospital stay was 5.3 days (2-14). 24 (58.4%) patients had urinary retention before the operation and average operation time was 27.6 minutes (15-42). No operative or in-hospital mortality was in this study or during the first 30 days and all patients were discharged. No one required transfusion or re-intervention within 30 days from operation. Three (8.3%) patients got complications within 30 days and one underwent bladder neck incision during the follow-up period. 32 (89%) were discharged without urinary catheter and 33 (91.7%) were satisfied with the result of the operation.

TUVP is a safe, efficacious and technically feasible operation for patients with benign prostatic enlargement. Despite limited material, the clinical outcome and complications rate were comparable to larger series.