Transurethral incision of prostate (TUIP) for minimally enlarged prostates

To compare the efficacy of Transurethral Incision of Prostate (TUIP) with Transurethral Resection of Prostate (TURP), in terms of improvement in peak flow rate (Q-Max) and number of complications.

It was an interventional, quasi-experimental study.

This study was conducted at the Armed Forces Institute of Urology (AFIU), Rawalpindi, from November 2006 to December 2007.

A total of 60 patients were inducted in the study with thirty patients in each group undergoing TUIP (Group A) and TURP (Group B). Patients of any age with prostate less than 35 grams needing surgical interventions were included in the study. Patients with recurrent disease, multiple co-morbid conditions, higher center dysfunctions, neurogenic bladder and associated strictures were excluded. In TUIP, a single median incision was made at 6 'O clock position, starting from interureteric ridge upto verumontanum, going upto prostatic capsule. In group B, standard TURP was done. All the cases were operated by the same consultant under spinal anaesthesia. Follow up was done at the end of the 1st week and 1st, 3rd and 6th months.

Mean operative time was shorter (17.01+/-1.97 minutes) in group A as compared to group B (27.06+/-23.06 minutes, p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding peak flow. Complications were less in group A (08) and more in group B (n=28, <0.05).

TUIP and TURP were equal in terms of improvement in flow rate, but operative time was shorter in TUIP with less post operative complications. So, TUIP is a better choice in prostates weighing less than 35 grams.