Prospective comparative study of endoscopic management of bladder lithiasis: is prostate surgery a necessary adjunct?

To present the results of a prospective study comparing transurethral cystolithotripsy and simultaneous transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), with transurethral cystolithotripsy and medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The traditional dogma that bladder lithiasis constitutes an absolute indication for prostatic surgery has recently been questioned.

A total of 64 patients with bladder calculi were included in the present study. In all patients, stone clearance was achieved transurethrally. The patients in group 1 (n=32) underwent TURP during the same session, and the patients in group 2 (n=32) underwent medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (tamsulosin plus finasteride).

The mean follow-up was 28.23±8.84 months. No statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups regarding the preoperative parameters (age, International Prostate Symptom Score, prostatic volume, peak urinary flow rate, postvoid residual urine volume, prostate-specific antigen level, and bladder stone characteristics). Both groups experienced statistically significant postoperative improvements in the International Prostate Symptom Score, peak urinary flow rate, and postvoid residual urine volume. However, patients in group 1 experienced a more pronounced improvement in the International Prostate Symptom Score (P=.02) and peak urinary flow rate (P=.001). In total, 11 patients in group 2 underwent TURP during follow-up, with medical management considered to have failed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the postvoid residual urine volume as an independent risk factor that predicted the need for TURP in group 2 patients (odds ratio 1.033, 95% CI for odds ratio 1.007-1.060, P=.014).

The findings of the present study have provided useful information on the natural history of bladder lithiasis, particularly in the context of improved patient consultation.