Determination of prostatic volume by ultrasonography. A useful procedure in patients with prostatism?

Digital palpation is rather unreliable for estimating the volume of the prostate. Ultrasonographic measurements have been advocated as a more appropriate method. We examined 47 patients ultrasonographically. Of these, 34 underwent a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) (ultrasonographic volume 29 patients: prostate less than 60 cm3, 5 patients with cardiovascular problems: prostate greater than 60 cm3) and 13 an open prostatectomy according to Hryntschak (prostate greater than 60 cm3). In all patients ultrasonically determined volumes were compared with the operatively removed volume of prostatic tissue. If the size of the prostate had been estimated by digital palpation only, 12 patients would have undergone the wrong procedure (TURP instead of Hryntschack procedure). Ultrasonographic calculation of the prostatic volume demonstrated that all of these patients could be treated with less risk. After resection or abdominal prostatectomy some prostatic tissue remains. We concluded that there is no clear difference in the incidence of secondary prostatic obstruction (in need of re-TURP) either after abdominal prostatectomy or after TURP.