TRANSURETHRAL PROSTATECTOMY - A LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP-STUDY OF 166 PATIENTS OVER 80 YEARS OF AGE

Objectives and Methods. In a retrospective analysis, the medical recor ds of 166 patients over 80 years of age (80-99 years, mean age 82 year s) who underwent transurethral prostatectomy (TURF) for clinically ben ign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were reviewed in order to evaluate the morbidity and mortality rates in this special group of patients. The mean follow-up was 60 months (6-85 months). Results: According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists operative risk classification, 1 47 (88.5%) patients were found to be of groups ASA III and IV. All pat ients had at least one serious associated medical disease. Early compl ications occurred in 25.9% (n = 43) of patients. Late significant urol ogical complications were noted in 13.2% (n = 22) of patients. Reopera tion was carried out in 4.2% (n = 7) of cases. Two patients died withi n 30 days after the operation (1.2%). During the period of follow-up 4 3 patients died. Comparing the survival curve (according to the Kaplan -Meier analysis) of our group with the expected survival rate of the a ge-matched overall population, no statistical difference could be obse rved. Conclusion: Being aware of the limits of a retrospective study, we believe that TURF as a treatment for BPH in patients over the age o f 80 years has a satisfactory outcome with an acceptable morbidity and mortality rate.