TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE PROSTATE IN COMMUNITY OUTREACH: WHAT ARE THE LESSONS?

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Surgical Procedures
• Public Health

Background:

• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the established treatment for complicated benign prostate enlargement.
• Access to TURP can be limited in remote or indigenous communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of TURP in an indigenous community in sub-Saharan Africa.
• To assess the accessibility and success of community-based urological surgical outreach programs.

Main Methods:

• Scheduled community outreach visits for TURP between January 2016 and December 2019.
• Training of medical officers on patient selection criteria for TURP.
• Transportation of endoscopic instruments to selected communities.

Main Results:

• Fifty-five men (age 45-98) underwent TURP, with a mean prostate volume of 52.5 cm³.
• The procedure demonstrated a low postoperative complication rate of 4%.
• TURP procedures increased annually, indicating growing acceptance and demand.

Conclusions:

• TURP is a feasible and accessible treatment option in indigenous and pensioner communities, yielding satisfactory results.
• Government support for community outreach programs is crucial to deliver modern healthcare to underserved populations.
• Scheduled outreach initiatives can bridge the gap in access to essential urological care.