Transurethral evaporation of the prostate for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: results in 168 patients with up to 12 months of followup.

PURPOSE: We assessed the safety and efficacy of transurethral evaporation of the prostate for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 168 patients with symptomatic BPH underwent transurethral evaporation of the prostate. Peak flow rate, American Urological Association symptom index and post-void residual were assessed at baseline, and at 3, 6 and 12 months of followup. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant decrease in mean American Urological Association symptom index from 20.6 at baseline to 7.2 at 12 months (mean difference 13.4, 65% reduction, p < 0.0001). We also found a statistically significant improvement in mean peak flow rate from 8.2 to 18.2 cc per second, respectively (mean difference 10, 122% increase, p < 0.0001). The most frequent complications were irritative voiding symptoms in 22.6% of patients and urinary tract infections in 4.8%. There were no additional major complications. CONCLUSIONS: From these results transurethral evaporation of the prostate appears to be safe and effective for treatment of BPH at 12 months of followup.

Transabdominal ultrasound versus excretory urography in preoperative evaluation of patients with prostatism.

Transabdominal ultrasound is superior to excretory urography when radiographic imaging of the urinary tract is indicated in patients with prostatism. We studied 53 patients with excretory urography and ultrasonography before prostatectomy. Patients with a history of microscopic or macroscopic hematuria, urolithiasis, renal failure or upper urinary tract anomalies were excluded from our study. Ultrasonography proved to be more accurate in defining prostatic size and configuration. Bladder wall thickness also was quantified more clearly with ultrasonography. We found 17 renal masses incidentally with excretory urography, although ultrasound was essential and superior to excretory urography in defining these masses in each case. We recommend that ultrasonography be used in lieu of excretory urography when imaging of the urinary tract is indicated before prostatectomy.