Comparison of transurethral and open subcapsular prostatectomy: relation to weight of the prostate

The results of transurethral prostatectomy in 2,269 men and open subcapsular prostatectomy in 300 men were compared. The only significant differences between the two groups were in the duration of hospital stay (18.3 vs 26.2 days) and the number of days that the drainage catheter was indwelling (5.4 days in the transurethral and 10.9 days in the open surgery group [P less than 0.01, both comparisons]). Blood loss, the need for transfusion, the amount of blood transfused, and the duration of surgery, catheterization, and hospital stay were all related to prostate size. Transurethral resection was superior to open resection for prostates weighing less than 20 gm; prostates of 20 gm to 30 gm were the easiest to enucleate.