Haemodynamic changes detected during open prostatectomy and transurethral resection for benign prostatic hyperplasia

To detect possible intraoperative haemodynamic differences, 60 patients und ergoing transurethral (n = 18) or open prostatectomy (n = 42) for benign pr ostatic hyperplasia were evaluated. The same type of general anaesthesia wa s used in the two groups. Data, including temperature and cardiac output, w ere collected at Eve standard times during the procedures. No significant d ifferences were found between the two groups. However, in all patients, irr espective of the operation, significant decreases in cardiac output and inc reases in systemic resistance occurred during surgery. Body temperature sho wed a mild, insignificant decrease, which may play a role in determining th e mild haemodynamic derangement observed in all patients. Our patients subj ected to open prostatectomy and transurethral resection presented the same kind of haemodynamic derangement, with no significant differences. Therefor e it seems unlikely that the kind of surgery could play a relevant role in the late mortality rate of these patients.