LASER PROSTATECTOMY VERSUS TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE PROSTATE FOR BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERTROPHY - COMPARATIVE CHANGES IN HEMOGLOBIN ANDSERUM SODIUM

A prospective study was undertaken to examine differences in haemoglob in concentration and serum electrolytes in two patient groups undergoi ng surgical treatment for benign prostatic obstruction. Group one unde rwent conventional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), and group two were treated by laser ablation of the prostate (LAP). Twent y-six patients were enrolled in LAP group, 25 in the TURP group. Both patient groups had the procedure performed under epidural anesthesia. Serial measurements of haemoglobin and sodium were performed at three time intervals: immediately preoperatively, in the recovery room and 2 4 hours postoperatively. A fall in serum sodium levels between the mea n preoperative reading (140 mmol/l) and 24 hours post surgery (138 mmo l/l) was the only statistically significant alteration sustained in th e laser patients (P<0.0001). A fall in haemoglobin front preoperative measurement to recovery room measurement of 0.71 g/l was statistically significant (P<0.0001), but did not persist to the 24 hour postoperat ive time period. The TURF group demonstrated statistically significant falls in both sodium and haemoglobin levels at both postsurgery measu rements. Mean serum sodium levels fell from 141 mmol/l preoperatively to 138 mmol/l (P<0.0001) in the recovery room and 137 mmol/l (P<0.0001 ) at 24 hours. Preoperative haemoglobin fell from 14.8 g/l to 13.6 g/l (P<0.0001) in recovery and 13.7 g/l (P<0.0001) at 24 hours.