Is follow-up necessary after transurethral resection of the prostate?

To assess the necessity for routine out-patient review following transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign prostatic hypertrophy.

One-hundred and two patients with histologically proven benign prostatic hypertrophy were prospectively reviewed as out-patients. The views of their general practitioners were established by postal questionnaire.

At their first out-patient review 94 of 102 (92%) patients were discharged and only 2% (2/102) patients remained under review after 1 year. Apart from routine urine analysis, only four additional investigations were initiated at the routine clinical assessment. One patient was listed to undergo prostatic surgery again following the post-operative out-patient review. Over the next 16 months only three patients (3%) were re-referred with further urological problems. Confidence in a system without routine hospital out-patient review was expressed by 90% of general practitioners and 78% of patients.

Follow-up after TURP cannot be justified in terms of the perceived therapeutic benefit to patients. Patients should be discharged to the community and be assessed rapidly in out-patients if and when problems arise.