Transurethral prostatectomy--new trends

Treatment for benign prostatic hypertrophy has changed drastically within the past 3 years. Two new procedures-visual laser ablation of the prostate and transurethral electrovaporization prostatectomy, as well as improvements in the transurethral prostatectomy-have resulted in decreased recovery time and early discharge. Postoperative nursing observations for the visual laser ablation of the prostate and transurethral electrovaporization prostatectomy are quite different than for the transurethral prostatectomy. Discharge teaching has become extremely important because patients are now being discharged within 24 hours and most often with a Foley catheter. Patient response to the new procedures has been positive even though there are some disadvantages.