A randomised single institution study comparing laser prostatectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate

We concluded a prospective randomised study comparing conventional electrocautery transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to laser prostatectomy using a right-angled Nd:YAG beam reflector. Seventy-one patients were evaluable, 34 laser and 37 TURP. Fifty patients have completed 6 months of follow-up. Using standard post prostatectomy outcome parameters of maximum flow rate and post void residual urine, laser prostatectomy shows equivalence at 6 months, with mean maximum flow rates of 8.76 ml/sec preoperatively improving to 15.47 ml/sec at 6 months, whilst for TURP patients, flow rates improved from a mean of 9.48 ml/sec preoperatively to 19.1 ml/sec at 6 months. Symptom scores remain higher for the laser patients at this time with a mean score of 9.27 compared to 4.43 for TURP patients. However, morbidity in the laser group is less, particularly given the absence of postoperative bleeding and the necessity for blood transfusion.