Who needs a prostatectomy? Review of a waiting list

A total of 118 patients on a waiting list for a transurethral prostatectomy, who had been selected primarily on the basis of their symptoms and the finding of an enlarged prostate, were reassessed by objective tests. Of the 107 finally studied, 44% were retained on the waiting list and a further 8% kept under review; 48% were discharged from any further follow-up. The study reinforces the importance of objectively assessing patients presenting with urinary symptoms.