Urethrocystography during and after transurethral prostatic resection

Ten men were subjected to transurethral electroresection because of prostatic adenoma. All were examined with urethrocystography on 3 occasions, viz. at the end of operation, 4-7 days later and after a further 2-3 months. Peroperative examination for residual adenoma appeared to be of little value, while examination a few days after the operation revealed residual adenomas in 2 cases and possibly also in a third. The cavity left after the operation had the same size at the peroperative and the first postoperative examination, though its outline was sometimes smoother at the latter. During urination the cavity invariably increased in size. At the second postoperative examination the operation cavity was clearly smaller and its outline smoother in 9 of 10 cases. The cavity still expanded during micturition. No passage of contrast medium to the veins was ever demonstrable. At the peroperative examination the contrast medium was not injected under any substantial pressure and the cavity was not exposed to pressure by micturition. Even at the first postoperative examination, when the operation cavity was exposed to pressure by urination, the veins that had been opened at operation had closed so effectively that no contrast medium passed outside the prostatic capsule. Urethrocystography in association with TUR of prostatic adenoma is of interest to the urological surgeon. It provides him with a possibility to check his work very carefully.