A Randomized Controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Hybrid Bipolar Transurethral Vaporization and Resection of the Prostate

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) represents a major health problem in our population and results in a substantial workload in urology practice. BPH frequency and importance are rising, owing to gradual changes in lifestyle and rapid increases in the elderly population .Although benign, this disease has a progressive evolution and has a negative impact on the health-related quality of life of the patients, marked by obstructive and irritative lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) (Geavlete et al., 2010). Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) under monopolar electrocautery using glycine solution or distilled water irrigation is the gold standard surgical mode for BPH because of its long term treatment efficacy (Reich et al., 2006). Concerns have been raised, however, regarding monopolar TURP complications, such as transurethral resection (TUR) syndrome, bleeding, and urethral stricture (Rassweiler et al., 2006, Reich et al., 2008). The development of bipolar vaporization and resection systems in the last decade has become more important because they allow removal of tissue using an iso-osmotic saline solution and may provide improved surface coagulation during resection without requiring a return electrode applied to the skin (Qu et al., 2008).