Randomised controlled trial comparing safety and efficacy of Urolift to monopolar TURP

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common cause of the Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in ageing men. TURP is still the gold-standard procedure for the treatment of LUTS-BPH, however new minimally invasive modalities like Urolift procedure has been introduced.

Patients with prostate size up to 100 g were offered both treatment modalities. Hundred patients were included in the study, 100 in TURP group (group A) and 100 in Urolift group (group B). International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was used at initial contact and for evaluation of response to treatment. Group A underwent TURP under regional anaesthetic, while group B underwent Urolift under sedation.

The mean age in both groups was 66.4 years. The IPSS score improvement among both groups is attached in the diagram. Group B patients had less hospital stay, better erectile and ejaculatory function compared to group B, and no stress incontinence was detected in group B while 6.7% of the patients in group A suffered some stress incontinence.

Urolift has the benefit of preserving the ejaculatory function and less complications. Nevertheless, it has size limitations and the IPSS score improvement is less satisfactory when compared to TURP.