REVERSIBLE CHANGE OF BLADDER HYPERTROPHY DUE TO BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA AFTER SURGICAL RELIEF OF OBSTRUCTION

Purpose: Ultrasound estimated bladder weight was compared before and a fter surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to reveal a possib le reversible change in bladder hypertrophy. Materials and Methods: Ul trasound estimated bladder weight was measured before and after subcap sular (17) or transurethral (16) prostatectomy in 33 male patients wit h BPH. Sequential changes in the American Urological Association sympt om score and urinary flow rate were also examined. Results: Along with a significant improvement in the American Urological Association symp tom scores and maximum flow rate, ultrasound estimated bladder weight decreased from 52.9 +/- 22.6 to 31.6 +/- 15.8 gm. in 12 weeks after tr eatment. In all but 4 patients (29 of 33, or 87.9%) ultrasound estimat ed bladder weight decreased to less than 35.0 gm, in 12 weeks after tr eatment. Interestingly, in all patients with an initial ultrasound est imated bladder weight of greater than 80 gm. the bladder weight still remained at an abnormally high level 12 weeks after treatment. Conclus ions: Bladder hypertrophy was completely reversible after the surgical treatment of the obstruction in the majority of patients with BPH. Th e measurement of ultrasound estimated bladder weight was of value in m onitoring therapeutic effects in BPH patients. An extraordinarily high ultrasound estimated bladder weight of 80 gm. or more might suggest d egenerative and irreversible pathological changes in the bladder detru sor.