The efficacy of transurethral resection of the prostate in the patients with weak bladder contractility index.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effect of transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) in men with weak bladder contractility who were unresponsive to medical treatment. METHODS: Among the patients who underwent TUR-P for lower urinary tract symptoms at our institution, we reviewed the records of consecutive 71 patients who had preoperative urodynamic evaluations. According to the bladder outlet obstruction index and the bladder contractility index, the patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (25 patients) with unobstructed and weak bladder contractility, and group B (46 patients) with obstructed and/or normal bladder contractility. We investigated the differences of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximum flow rate (Q(max)), postvoid residuals (PVR), and the patient subjective satisfaction between the 2 groups after the TUR-P. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period after TUR-P was 19 months (range 12 to 55 months). After the TUR-P, the IPSS/QoL, and PVR were significantly improved in group A and all parameters in group B. Patients in group B showed a more significant improvement with regard to the IPSS and they were more satisfied after the TUR-P than group A. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant improvements in IPSS/QoL and PVR after TUR-P in patients with weak bladder contractility and more than 60% were satisfied with the results of the surgery. TUR-P is considered an optional procedure for the treatment of men with weak bladder contractility who are unresponsive to medical treatment.

Outcomes of surgery of female urethral diverticula classified using magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the surgical outcomes of transvaginal diverticulectomies classified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: We evaluated 30 women (mean age: 46.4 yr; range: 31-73 yr) who were followed up for at least 12 mo after urethral diverticulectomies (mean follow-up: 29 mo; range: 12-93 mo). Characteristics of urethral diverticula were confirmed before surgery by MRI. Diverticula were classified as simple, U-shaped, or circumferential according to MRI features. Transvaginal excisions of urethral diverticula were performed using vaginal flaps and three-layer closures. Cure was defined as the absence of a diverticulum and symptoms. RESULTS: Seventeen cases (57%) had simple diverticula, three (10%) had U-shaped diverticula, and 10 (33%) had circumferential diverticula. After the first operation, 23 cases (77%) were cured. None of the simple diverticula recurred, but 33% of the U-shaped and 60% of the circumferential diverticula did recur. Of the seven recurrent cases, three did not require a second operation because their symptoms resolved. Of the four cases that underwent a second operation, three were cured and one was cured after two additional operations. The success rate for circumferential diverticula after initial diverticulectomies was less than that of simple or U-shaped diverticula (p<0.05). Location, size, and multiplicity of urethral diverticula did not affect the surgical outcome (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal diverticulectomy is effective for treatment of female urethral diverticula. For circumferential urethral diverticula, however, surgical procedures should be adapted to achieve complete resections of the diverticulum.