Comparison of Safety, Efficacy and Cost Effectiveness of Photoselective Vaporization with Bipolar Vaporization of Prostate in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Abstract

Objectives: To compare bipolar vaporization of prostate (BPVP) with photoselective vaporization (PVP) of prostate in the surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia in terms of safety, efficacy and cost effectiveness. Methods: Data was analyzed retrospectively for patients who underwent either PVP or BPVP between August 2012 to July 2014 for prostate size ≤ 80 ml. Preoperative and postoperative period values along with details like operative time, blood loss, hospitalization days, catheter removal time, blood transfusion and etc., were noted down. International prostatic symptom score, quality of life scores, post void residue, and maximum flow rate were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively at each follow-up visit. Follow-up was performed at 1, 3, 6 ,12 and 18 months. Results: Similar preoperative characteristics were observed in all the study arms. Hemoglobin drop, transfusion rate, catheter time and hospital days were similar in both the groups. The follow-up data indicates sustainable significant improvement in international prostatic symptom score, quality of life, post void residue and maximum flow rate in both the groups. As expected the cost of the procedure was significantly more in PVP group as compared to BPVP group (p < 0.01). Neither group had severe perioperative complications and no blood transfusion was required in both the groups. Conclusion: Both PVP and BPVP were safe and effective alternatives in men requiring surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia including patients who were on anticoagulants. Additionally, BPVP has the advantage of being significantly cheaper and therefore it can be more useful in developing countries.