Significance of the extent of transurethral prostatic resection for postoperative complications

The significance of the extent of transurethral prostatic resection for benign prostatic hypertrophy was evaluated as regards early and late postoperative complications in a prospective, randomized study. The two treatment groups were preoperatively comparable in age, incidence of urinary retention and estimated prostatic weight. In 83 cases the median weight of resected tissue was 18 (range 4-118) g, while in 84 cases the resection was less extensive--median weight 7 (1-40) g. No significant intergroup difference was found in incidence of bladder tamponade, bladder perforation, urinary tract infection or pneumonia. The blood transfusion need was greatest among the patients with complete transurethral adenomectomy of the prostate. Concerning late postoperative complications, the groups did not differ in incidence of urethral stricture, bladder neck contracture or reoperation for benign prostatic hypertrophy. Patients with preoperative urethral instrumentation had heightened risk of developing postoperative urethral stricture.