ELECTROVAPORIZATION OF THE PROSTATE COMPA RED TO TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION IN THE TREATMENT OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERTROPHY

The objectives of this study was to compare electrovaporization (EVAP) of the prostate to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURF). A prospective evaluation of 60 patients treated for benign prostatic hyp ertrophy (BPH) was carried out between November 1994 and November 1996 . Twenty five patients were treated with TURF and 35 patients with EVA P. All patients had a minimum 12 month follow-up. The results obtained were comparable in terms of surgical procedure timewith a bloodless s urgical field using EVAP. EVAP was advantageous in reducing the time w ith indwelling urinary catheter postoperatively and reducing hospital stay. At 12 month follow-up results of flow rates and symptom scores w ere similar for both TURF and EVAP. Reoperation rate for residual BPH in the EVAP group was higher than for TURF, suggesting that EVAP shoul d probably be limited to smaller sized glands. This study suggests tha t EVAP is a viable alternative to TURF in selected patients. It requir es no specialized equipment and may allow a reduction in catheterizati on and hospital stay.