Incidence of serum acid phosphatase elevation after transurethral prostatectomy

Serum acid phosphatase levels were measured in 402 patients after transurethral resection of the prostate for benign adenoma. All patients had normal preoperative serum acid phosphatase levels (less than 0.8 IU/L) and the tissue specimen was histologically benign in all patients. Ninety-three patients (23%) showed normal postoperative serum acid phosphatase levels, while 309 (77%) showed postoperative elevation of serum acid phosphatase. One hundred forty-eight patients (37%) had postoperative levels higher than 5 IU/L. Significant elevation of serum acid phosphatase may follow transurethral prostate resection in patients having no evidence of malignancy.