TOTAL TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION VERSUS MINIMAL TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE PROSTATE - A 10-YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY OF URINARY SYMPTOMS, UROFLOWMETRY AND RESIDUAL VOLUME

Objective To assess the long-term results of total transurethral resec tion (T-TURP) and minimal transurethral resection of the prostate (M-T URP) in patients with obstructive symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. Patients and methods Between September l979 and September 1980, 167 patients were studied: 83 were randomized to T-TURP and 84 to M-TURP. The patients were examined pre-operatively and 6 and 12 mon ths post-operatively. Ten years post-operatively they were invited to attend for further examination, including uroflowmetry, determination of residual volume and evaluation of subjective symptoms. Results At t he 10-year follow-up 39 patients were found to have died and 47 were l ost to follow-up. Twelve patients had undergone repeat TURF and seven had been treated for urethral stricture. Thus 33 T-TURP and 29 M-TURP patients underwent detailed examination. Significant relief in obstruc tive and irritative symptoms was seen in both groups. The improvement in maximum now rate remained stable throughout the follow-up period, w ith no significant differences between the two groups. Post-void resid ual urine decreased throughout follow-up, with minor differ ences betw een the groups. Conclusion M-TURP is recommended as an alternative to T-TURP.