In this report, we discuss the basic equipment, electrosurgical techni
ques, and achievable effects with electrovaporization of the prostate
and summarize follow-up data in patients who underwent electrovaporiza
tion for treatment of prostatism. Transurethral electrovaporization of
the prostate combines electrosurgical vaporization and desiccation to
remove obstructive hyperplastic prostatic tissue with minimal morbidi
ty, A special electrosurgical modification involves a grooved roller e
lectrode with a large surface area and multiple edges of contact that
allow high current density to be delivered to an extensive area of tis
sue to be vaporized. This device fits standard resectoscopic equipment
, and its use requires no special skills other than those needed for c
onventional transurethral resection of the prostate, Data analysis on
a personal series of 114 patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hy
perplasia who were treated with electrovaporization showed a decrease
in symptoms, an increase in urinary flow rates, and rapid convalescenc
e, similar to results in other published studies. Thus, clinical exper
ience with transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate has shown
efficacy similar to that for transurethral resection of the prostate
but with considerably reduced morbidity, Extended follow up of larger
numbers of patients is needed to assess the durability of this procedu
re.