Transurethral electroresection of prostatic adenoma. Early results

In 1972 and 1973 all together 186 men were operated upon with transurethral electroresection of prostatic adenoma. During the period no adenomectomies were performed by "open" methods. All the patients were operated upon by one surgeon. The early results of the operation were analysed. The operation appeared to imply only a very small strain on the patients. None of the men died during their stay in hospital. The men spent on the average 5 days in hospital after the operation. This figure includes those men in whom the adenoma removed was large, i.e. 88 cases in which the operative specimens weighed 30 to 124 g. The need of blood transfusions was small during and after the operation. Transfusions were never necessary in those cases where the operative specimens were small. In the 88 cases where specimens were large 25% required blood transfusion. Most patients had urinary incontinence for a few days to four months after the operation. They were afterwards all continent except 4 who were completely incontinent postoperatively. In all of these cases incontinence was due, at least partly, to cerebral lesions. It is claimed that with the irrigation fluid used, i.e. isotonic water solution of sorbitol and acetic acid, there is no need to limit the operation time and therefore not the size of the adenomas which can be resected. The surgeon can work quietly and without haste until the entire adenoma has been removed.