IS FOLLOW-UP NECESSARY AFTER TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE PROSTATE

Objective To assess the necessity for routine out-patient review follo wing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURF) for benign prostat ic hypertrophy. Patients and methods One-hundred and two patients with histologically proven benign prostatic hypertrophy were prospectively reviewed as out-patients. The views of their general practitioners we re established by postal questionnaire. Results At their first out-pat ient review 94 of 102 (92%) patients were discharged and only 2% (2/10 2) patients remained under review after 1 year. Apart from routine uri ne analysis, only four additional investigations were initiated at the routine clinical assessment. One patient was listed to undergo prosta tic surgery again following the post-operative out-patient review, Ove r the next 16 months only three patients (3%) were re-referred with fu rther urological problems, Confidence in a system without routine hosp ital outpatient review was expressed by 90% of general practitioners a nd 78% of patients. Conclusion Follow-up after TURF cannot be justifie d in terms of the perceived therapeutic benefit to patients. Patients should be discharged to the community and be assessed rapidly in out-p atients if and when problems arise.