EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF BLADDER NECK INCISION IN PATIENTS WITH BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

A prospective series of 104 patients underwent bladder neck incision ( 44 unilateral and 60 bilateral) for urinary obstruction caused by a sm all benign prostate enlargement. The preoperative mean peak flow value improved significantly from 11.4 ml/s to 16.2 ml/s. There were no sig nificant differences in peak flow values between the unilateral and bi lateral incision groups. Subjective results seemed to be similar but t ransurethral resection of the prostate was needed more often after uni lateral incision than after bilateral incision. Postoperative complica tions were recorded only in the bilateral incision group. Altogether 6 2 % of the patients reported changes in erection or ejaculation abilit y. Bladder neck incision seems to be an effective means of treating ur inary obstruction but adverse effects on sexual function are common, w hich should be kept in mind when offering this treatment to sexually a ctive men. It can be regarded as the treatment of choice for older men with infravesical obstruction caused by a small prostate enlargement.