Long-term Follow-up of Bipolar Transurethral Resection of the Prostate Compared with Conventional Monopolar Resectoscope for Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Shin, Hong Seok; Kim, Hyun Tae; Moon, Ki Hak; Park, Tong Choon

Abstract

PURPOSE: We analyzed the long-term efficacy and safety of bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) using the Gyrus(TM) PlasmaKinetic System compared with conventional monopolar TURP.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study included 54 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who underwent TURP between May 2003 and April 2004. In all, 28 consecutive patients had bipolar and 26 had monopolar TURP. All patients were assessed by preoperative and postoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, transrectal ultrasonography, operative time, weight of resected tissue, length of hospital stay, duration of catheter use, change in hemoglobin and serum sodium, and complication rates.
RESULTS
Significant improvement was seen postoperatively in both groups, and no difference was observed in the resection time, weight of resected tissue, change in hemoglobin and serum sodium, improvement of IPSS and maximum flow rate (Qmax) or complication rates over the 36-month follow up. However, there was a significant difference in duration of catheter use and hospital stay. Duration of catheter use (2.1 days vs. 3.5 days p=0.012) and hospital stay (2.9 days vs. 4.1 days p=0.024) were shorter in the bipolar group.
CONCLUSIONS
Bipolar TURP using the Gyrus(TM) PlasmaKinetic System is as effective as conventional monopolar TURP with the advantages of reduced length of catheter use and shorter hospital stay. Both methods have low complication rates. In the long-term comparison, improvements in IPSS and Qmax after bipolar and monopolar TURP are similar. Thus bipolar TURP may be a good alternative to conventional TURP.