[Transurethral resection of the prostate (author's transl)]

The authors report a retrospective study of 320 primary resections for benign prostatic hypertrophy yielding a mean weight of 30 grams, only 5% exceeding 50 grams. Routine internal urethrotomy of the penible urethra carried out in 62 patients did not prevent urethral stenosis in 2 of them. There were no cases of fluid absorption syndrome, but the relatively frequent nature of the immediate (5 cases) or early (10 cases) abundant bleeding should be noted. Only one third of the patients required a transfusion. Seventeen developed a septicaemia and six epididymitis. Septicaemia (2 cases), pulmonary embolism (1 case) and cardiac insufficiency (1 case), were the causes of the 4 deaths (1.25%). There were 14 cases of urethral stenosis, 19 of incomplete resection, 1 fibrosis of the prostatic bed and 6 fibrosis of the bladder neck. There were 3 cases of complete incontinence (0.9%). In this retrospective series, spread over 7 years and involving 16 different surgeons, 80% of the patients undergoing resection had a perfect result, to which could be added 7%, following minor endoscopic re-operation for urethral stenosis or incomplete prostatic resection. The experience of the surgeon and the improvements in equipment appeared to be the two essential factors in the improvement of results of endoscopic resection for benign prostatic hypertrophy.