Transurethral Vaporization Research Articles

Is the minimally invasive treatment as good as transurethral resection for benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Despite the development of new technologies, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is still considered the gold standard for surgical treatment of the benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). In general, new minimally invasive treatments have not demonstrated better outcomes than TURP in evidence based medicine trials published to date, and should be reserved for patients who prefer to avoid surgery, who are unsuitable candidates for surgery or who no longer respond favorably to medication. TUMT and TUNA appears to be more effective than medical therapy but less effective than TURP. Both treatments can be given under topical anesthesia or local prostatic or perineal block. Efficacy of transurethral vaporization appears similar to TURP, but the studies are short-term and the glands operated on are relatively small. In patients with small prostates, the transurethral incision of the prostate can also be a good option, associated with less morbidity than TURP. Bipolar resection of the prostate is similar to TURP in effectiveness, but the data are inconclusive regarding blood loss, length of catheterization and hospital stay. Long-term comparative trials are needed to determine if the minimally invasive therapies are superior to standard TURP.

Clinical observation transurethral vaporization of prostate in treatment of benign prostates hypertrophy

目的 观察经尿道前列腺汽化电切除术(TUVP)治疗前列腺增生的效果.方法 回顾性分析我院2000年4月至2006年6月期间用TUVP治疗前列腺增生患者的效果、并发症及预舫治疗方法.结果 600例前列腺增生患者TUVP治疗后,症状明显改善,患者国际前列腺症状评分明显下降,剩余尿量减少,最大尿流率增加,生活质量评分也明显升高.并发症有:暂时性尿失禁17例、迟发性出血18例,无经尿道电切综合征发生.结论 TUVP是治疗前列腺增生的首选方法,为避免并发症的发生,应加强术前准备、术中监测和术后处理等工作。

Persistent detrusor overactivity after transurethral resection of the prostate is associated with reduced perfusion of the urinary bladder

To elucidate, in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), how often detrusor overactivity (DOA) is persistent after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and if perfusion of the lower urinary tract influences postoperative outcomes. Fifty men with urodynamically confirmed DOA and bladder outlet obstruction due to BPH had a TURP. Before and 1 year after TURP the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) score, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and total prostatic volume (TPV) were evaluated. Also, the lower urinary tract was evaluated using pressure-flow studies and transrectal colour Doppler ultrasonography to assess the vascular resistive index (RI) as a variable of the perfusion of the lower urinary tract. After TURP the IPSS, QoL score, PSA level and TPV decreased. Cystometric measurements showed that in 15 (30%) patients DOA was persistent after TURP. The mean (sd) maximum urinary flow rate increased from 9.20 (4.03) to 15.98 (4.62) mL/s and postvoiding residual urine volumes decreased from 109.38 (73.71) to 29.24 (45.00) mL. When men with persistent DOA (15 patients; group 1) were compared with those with no DOA after TURP (35; group 2) there was a statistically significantly higher RI of the bladder vessels in group 1, at 0.86 (0.068) than in group 2, at 0.68 ( 0.055) (P < 0.001). Persistent DOA in men after TURP seems to be associated with increased vascular resistance of the bladder vessels with subsequent reduced perfusion and hypoxia.

The long‐term results of transurethral vaporization of the prostate using plasmakinetic energy

To assess the long-term efficacy and the safety of plasmakinetic vaporization of prostate (PKVP, Gyrus Medical Ltd., Bucks, UK) against standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for symptomatic prostatic obstruction. Of 75 patients admitted to our clinic with symptomatic prostatic obstruction between 2001 and 2003, 40 who were randomized to undergo either TURP or PKVP, and who had returned for the follow-up, were included in this study. All treated patients completed the 36-months of follow-up; 25 had had PKVP and 15 a standard TURP. After surgery the treatment outcome was evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate (Q(max)) and long-term complications of surgery. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics. The improvement in both groups was statistically significant for the IPSS and Q(max) at 24 and 36 months vs the baseline values (P < 0.05). The mean (sd) IPSS decreased from 21 (3.4) to 7.1 (1.5) and 7.6 (1.4) after PKVP and from 22 (3.8) to 5.2 (1.1) and 5.7 (1.2) after TURP, at 24 and 36 months, respectively. The mean Q(max) for the both groups increased significantly from baseline values at 2 and 3 years, respectively, at 20.8 (2.4) and 21.8 (3.1) mL/s after TURP, which was statistically significantly better than after PKVP, at 12.5 (2.1) and 14.4 (2.6) mL/s, respectively (P < 0.05). Although three patients (12%) in the PKVP group had TURP at 14, 20 and 36 months, respectively, for residual adenoma tissue, one patient had an additional operation after TURP. Bulbar urethral strictures occurred in one patient in each group, requiring internal optical urethrotomy. Erectile dysfunction was reported by three patients after PKVP (12%) and by two of 15 after TURP who were potent before surgery (P > 0.05). The retrograde ejaculation rates in patients with erectile function were similar in both groups (56% and nine of 15, respectively; P > 0.05). In the PKVP and TURP groups, 12 (48%) and nine of 15 patients were satisfied overall. Although early results showed that PKVP was a good alternative technique among the minimally invasive methods for surgically managing prostatic obstruction, the clinical outcome of PKVP in the long term was not comparable to the results after TURP.

MP-21.12: A prospective randomised study between transurethral vaporisation using plasmakinetic energy and transurethral resection of prostate: five-year results

A prospective randomised study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Plasmakinetic™ energy (Gyrus electrosurgical system) that produces vaporisation of tissue immersed in isotonic saline against standard transurethral resection of the prostate in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Transurethral Vaporization and Resection of the Prostate for the Treatment of Benign prostatic Hyperplasia Report of 148 Cases

目的 探讨经尿道前列腺汽抡电切术(TUVP)结合经尿道前列腺电切术(TURP)治疗前列腺增行(BPH)患者的价值.方法对148例BPH患者采用美国CIRCON ACMIF25.6汽化电切镜行经尿道前列腺电汽化电切术治疗.结果平均手术时间70min,无尿失禁和死亡病例,3例输血.术后随访1-15个月,国际前列腺症状评分8分,最大尿流率15.4ml/s.结论应用铲状电极汽化切割和电切环修切,可快速去除增生前列腺组织,安全有效,并发症少,值得推广。

A Prospective, Randomized Trial Comparing Conventional Transurethral Prostate Resection With PlasmaKinetic® Vaporization of the Prostate: Physiological Changes, Early Complications and Long-Term Followup

We compared standard transurethral prostate resection with bipolar PlasmaKinetic prostate vaporization for bladder outflow obstruction using a Gyrus PlasmaKinetic Plasma V bar. A total of 160 men were enrolled in a prospective, randomized trial. Those at higher risk for cancer were excluded by prostate specific antigen and digital rectal examination with or without transrectal ultrasound biopsy. A total of 81 men underwent prostate vaporization and 79 underwent transurethral prostate resection. Preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score and quality of life score, uroflowmetry, post-void residual urine and transrectal ultrasound prostate volume were recorded. Preoperative and postoperative serum hemoglobin, hematocrit and sodium were measured. Perioperative fluid absorption was calculated using weighing on table and blood loss using the Hemocue system. Longer followup of International Prostate Symptom Score and quality of life score, uroflowmetry and post-void residual urine was available in 149 men, including 76 who underwent prostate vaporization and 73 who underwent transurethral prostate resection. Data were analyzed using the 1 or 2-sample t and chi-square tests. The 2 groups were comparable in all preoperative parameters. Perioperative fluid absorption, intraoperative blood loss, preoperative and postoperative serum hematocrit, and sodium changes were not statistically different. Mean resection time was 4 minutes shorter for transurethral prostate resection (28.5 vs 32.6 minutes, p = 0.08). Patients with transurethral prostate resection showed a greater hemoglobin decrease (1.39 vs 0.8 gm/dl, p = 0.002) and required more irrigation postoperatively (28.3 vs 20.4 l, p = 0.001). Four patients with transurethral prostate resection required transfusion compared with none who underwent prostate vaporization. After transurethral prostate resection hospital stay was longer (3.36 vs 3.02 days, p = 0.03). Cancer was detected in 8 patients with transurethral prostate resection (10%), of whom 7 are under prostate specific antigen surveillance and 1 received radical radiotherapy. Mean long-term followup was 258 days (range 82 to 884). Prostate vaporization and transurethral prostate resection were equally effective at followup, as evidenced by changes in maximum urine flow, International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life score and post-void residual urine. The 2 operations are highly effective in experienced hands. PlasmaKinetic prostate vaporization resulted in less postoperative bleeding and a slightly shorter hospital stay. The lack of a histological specimen with this version of PlasmaKinetic prostate vaporization may mean that clinically significant cancers are missed.

Comparison of Transurethral Vaporization Using PlasmaKinetic™ Energy and Transurethral Resection of Prostate: 1-Year Follow-Up

A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PlasmaKinetic vaporization of prostate (PKVP) relative to standard transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) in the surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Between March of 2001 and February of 2003, 75 patients aged 49 to 80 years (median 66 years) with a complaint of lower urinary-tract symptoms and a mean prostate volume of 50 +/- 6 cc were enrolled in this study. We evaluated the operating time, blood transfusion, postoperative irrigation period, and catheter-removal time. Patients were assessed at baseline and during the follow-up using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and maximum urinary flow rate (Q(max)). The mean operation time for PKVP (40.3 +/- 15 minutes) was significantly shorter than that of TURP (55 +/- 11.1 minutes) (P < 0.001). The postoperative irrigation period was significantly shorter in the PKVP group (mean 6 +/- 3 hours) than in the TURP group (mean 20 +/- 8 hours) (P < 0.001). The mean catheter-removal time was significantly later after TURP (68 +/- 21 hours) than after PKVP (35 +/- 9 hours) (P < 0.001). The groups had comparable mean IPSS and Q(max) values at baseline, and both had significant improvement in these parameters after operation. For IPSS, especially at the third month after the operation, PKVP patients showed significantly greater improvement (P < 0.001). There was no difference in Q(max) values between the groups (P > 0.05). Whereas blood transfusion was necessary for two patients in the TURP group, there were no transfusions in the PKVP group. Because of the short operating time, smaller blood loss, shorter period of irrigation and catheterization, use of isotonic fluid, and absence of electrical current, PKVP is safe and advantageous. Although these early results have shown that this technique may be a good alternative among the minimally invasive methods for the surgical management of BPH, further studies with longer-term results are essential.

583Four-year results of a prospective randomised study between transurethral vaporisation using plasmakinetic energy and transurethral resection of prostate

583Four-year results of a prospective randomised study between transurethral vaporisation using plasmakinetic energy and transurethral resection of prostate

Resistance index in benign prostatic hyperplasia using power doppler imaging and clinical outcomes after transurethral vaporization of the prostate

Using power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS), we investigate the change of resistance index (RI) before and after transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TUVP) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients. In all, 49 patients underwent transrectal PDUS before receiving TUVP, three were excluded because of cancer and three could not be followed up. The remaining 43 were enrolled in the present study. Patients were assessed before and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery, giving a mean duration of follow-up of 9.1 months. International prostate symptom scores (IPSS), quality of life (QOL) scores, postvoiding residual urine volumes (PVR) and maximum urinary flow rates (Qmax) were evaluated and total prostatic volume (TPV) and RI were measured using PDUS. Resistance index ranged from 0.64 to 0.91. The postoperative parameters except for RI, such as TPV, PVR, IPSS and QOL scores improved significantly at the follow-up assessment after surgery. The elevated RI decreased significantly 1, 3 and 6 months after the treatment. Resistance index significantly decreased after TUVP and IPSS and other urodymamics parameters improved. The present study suggested that RI could evaluate the severity of BPH and the degree of intraprostatic pressure or bladder outlet obstruction.

Randomised evaluation of alternative electrosurgical modalities to treat bladder outflow obstruction in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia

To compare and evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of transurethral vaporisation of the prostate (TUVP), a new electrosurgical modality, with the standard treatment, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). A multicentre randomised controlled trial of pragmatic design with associated economic evaluation using cost minimisation. Patients were recruited from four centres in south-east England. Men requiring surgery for lower urinary tract symptoms deemed to be due to benign prostatic hypertrophy. TURP was performed and subsequent management conducted according to the usual practice of the clinical team. TUVP was performed with the most promising available equipment using a technique described in the literature. Postoperative management after TUVP was left to the ward team, who were not necessarily informed to which treatment arm the patient had been allocated. For the purpose of the study, patients were assessed clinically, by questionnaire and investigation at baseline, 2 months and 6 months after randomisation. A long-term follow-up postal questionnaire was sent to each patient at 2 years. For the economic evaluation, direct costs from the NHS viewpoint were collected. A reduction of at least 5 from the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was taken as a satisfactory outcome. The IPSS quality of life (QoL) question provided disease-specific information about QoL. Secondary outcome measures included urinary flow rate, post-void urinary volume, prostate volume and pressure-flow urodynamics. Questionnaires used included SF-36, EuroQol and a sexual function section based on the International Continence Society 'Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia' (ICS-BPH) questionnaire. Measurement of full blood count and urea and electrolytes was made at baseline and at 24 hours. Adverse events were recorded during the hospital stay and at follow-up visits. TURP and TUVP were both effective in producing a clinically important reduction in IPSS and positive change in the IPSS QoL question. The success rate for relief of symptoms was 85% for TURP and 74% for TUVP. Neither the success of the treatment nor the change in aggregated IPSS was significantly different between the groups. The improvement was sustained to 24 months after treatment with no significant difference between the groups. The effectiveness of both treatments was also equivalent when assessed through improvement in objective measures of urinary tract function, reduction in prostate size and the change in health questions of SF-36. The absolute incidence of adverse events was similar between the two groups. The incidence of severe or prolonged bleeding was less with TUVP, as evidenced by the need for blood transfusion and the drop in haemoglobin level 24 hours postoperatively. TURP and TUVP are broadly equivalent in direct NHS resource use. This study did not show any significant difference in inpatient stay or use of outpatient resources between the groups. The disposable electrodes used for TUVP are more expensive than reusable TURP electrodes. TURP and TUVP are equivalently effective in improving the symptoms of benign prostatic enlargement over at least 2 years. TUVP is associated with less morbidity due to haemorrhage than TURP. Replacement of TURP by TUVP would not produce a significant cost benefit to the NHS unless a reduction hospital inpatient stay of at least 1 day could be secured. Further research is necessary to determine why patients stay in hospital after transurethral surgery to the prostate and how a reduction in the length of stay can be achieved. A much larger observational study/audit is required to assess the incidence of infrequently occurring adverse events after TUVP. Longer term follow-up is also needed.

Early results of transurethral vaporisation of prostate in Nigeria.

to determine the effectiveness of transurethral electrovaporisation of prostate for the relief of obstructive prostatic disease in Nigeria. Consecutive patients presenting with obstructive prostatic disease with prostate size of less than 40gm were treated by transurethral electrovaporisation of prostate using a 5mm rollerball electrode. A total of 27 patients were entered into the study, 7(26%) had clinically malignant prostates; 2 patients (7%) had immediate post operative retention requiring resection of residual prostate. No patients exhibited the clinical features of TUR syndrome, all patients were discharged by the 4th post operative day and required no blood transfusions. Transurethral electrovaporisation is effective for treatment of obstructive prostatic disease, benign or malignant. using the 5mm rollerball instead of the recommended vaportrode still confers benefit over TURP. TEVP confers all the benefits of TURP with less mobidity.

571 A prospective randomised study between transurethral vaporisation using plasmakinetic energy and transurethral resection of prostate: Three year follow-up

571 A prospective randomised study between transurethral vaporisation using plasmakinetic energy and transurethral resection of prostate: Three year follow-up

Ex-vivo comparison of the haemostatic properties of standard transurethral resection and transurethral vaporization resection of the prostate.

To compare the haemostatic properties of standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and transurethral vaporization resection of the prostate (TUVRP), as perioperative bleeding is still regarded as the major complication of prostate resection. Isolated blood-perfused porcine kidneys were used to determine the haemostatic efficacy of TURP and TUVRP (using two different electrodes). Bleeding was quantified precisely in relation to tissue ablation for the two techniques, and specimens were evaluated histologically. Both TUVRP groups had significantly less bleeding (P = 0.005) than the TURP group for a standardized ablation volume of perfused kidney tissue (18.9, 19.5 and 24.1 mL/min, respectively). The different TUVRP electrodes had no significant haemostatic differences. The histology showed significantly (P = 0.03) larger coagulation zones for the TUVRP groups than for standard TURP. TUVRP ex-vivo was associated with significantly better haemostasis than TURP. The haemostatic properties of different active electrodes for TUVRP seem to be equivalent.

Transurethral vaporisation of the prostate and irrigating fluid absorption.

Transurethral vaporisation of the prostate gland (TUVP) is an emerging surgical alternative to conventional electroresection (TURP). This study examined vesical pressure and fluid absorption during TUVP in 35 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy. The irrigating fluid was a solution of glycine 1.5% and ethanol 1%. Intraoperative intravesical pressure was monitored continuously and absorption of irrigating fluid was detected by ethanol analysis in expired breath. The incidence of absorption during TUVP was 34%. Intravesical pressures were higher amongst patients who went on to absorb than amongst patients who did not. Combining data from the current study and from 35 patients in our previous investigation into TURP (Gray et al.: Anaesthesia 2001; 56: 461-4), urological trainees operated at higher mean pressure and for longer than their consultant colleagues and their resections were significantly more likely to result in absorption. The incidence of irrigating fluid absorption during trainees' operations appeared to be less using TUVP than using conventional TURP.

A prospective randomised study between transurethral vaporisation using plasmakinetic energy and transurethral resection of the prostate

A prospective randomised study between transurethral vaporisation using plasmakinetic energy and transurethral resection of the prostate

Prevalence and preference with regard to various surgical treatments for benign prostatic hypertrophy: a survey for the Japanese endourology and ESWL society member

We conducted a questionnaire survey concerning the prevalence and preference with regard to various types of surgical treatment for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), in order to gather preliminary data that may be helpful for standardizing the surgical treatment of BPH. A questionnaire survey was mailed to institutes in which a council member of the Japanese Endourology and ESWL Society was present. The questions dealt with the type and volume of surgical treatment experienced previously, and the treatments which had been performed in each institute during 2000. Preferences concerning cost effectiveness, safety, degree of invasion, efficacy, overall usefulness, and the possibility of prevalence from now on at general hospitals were also asked with regard to each surgical treatment. Of the 155 institutes to which the questionnaire was sent, 70 responded (45% response rate). TUVP (transurethral vaporization of the prostate by thick-loop) was second to TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) both regarding the volume of the surgical treatment that had been experienced previously, and the volume that had been performed during 2000. TURP was recognized as the most preferred treatment with regard to both cost effectiveness and overall usefulness, while TURF (transurethral radiofrequency thermotherapy) was preferred both for safety and reduced invasiveness, and open surgery for efficacy. Minimal invasive surgical treatment, such as TUVP, followed by ILCP (interstitial laser coagulation of the prostate) and TUMT (transurethral microwave thermotherapy) was recognized as the most preferable treatment for dealing with the prevalence from now on at general hospitals. Each minimal invasive surgical treatment was recognized as being safer and less invasive, but less effective and less useful compared to TURP. Among these surgical treatments, TUVP by thick-loop was recognized as being second choice to TURP with regard to efficacy and overall usefulness. As a matter of course, it would seem to be essential to evaluate long-term efficacy in addition to both safety and invasiveness when trying to standardize the surgical treatment for BPH.

Transurethral vaporization of the prostate

There are numerous abbreviations used to signify transurethral vaporization of the prostate: TVP, TUVP, TUEVP, and TUVRP. Regardless of which acronym is used, transurethral vaporization of the prostate entails the simultaneous vaporization, desiccation, and coagulation of prostatic tissue, using a rollerball or thick loop. TUVRP, which stands for transurethral vapor resection of the prostate specifically refers to the use of the thick-loop electrode and adds resection to the vaporization, desiccation, and coagulation accomplished with other electrodes. Otherwise the equipment is identical to that used for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The generator must be capable of producing 25–45% higher wattage (2,4). The indications for TUVP are the same as those for TURP. This chapter will demonstrate that this modality is a modification of TURP.

Thick vs thin loop transurethral resection of the prostate: a double‐blind prospective trial of early morbidity

To compare blood loss, irrigation requirements and hospital stay between standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and resection incorporating vaporization, i.e. transurethral vaporization resection (TUVRP). Seventy patients were prospectively randomized in a blinded fashion between TURP with a standard resection loop (thin loop) or resection with a roller cutting electrode (thick loop). The outcome was assessed as the change in haemoglobin at 30 min and 24 h after the resection finished. Secondary outcome measures were irrigation requirements, length of catheterization, hospital stay, changes in serum sodium, and complications. The nursing staff and surgical registrar managing the patients after surgery were unaware of the resection technique used. Data were available for 65 patients (36 thin loop and 29 thick loop resections). The mean decrease in haemoglobin after TURP was 14.8 g/L at 30 min and 11.8 g/L at 24 h; for TUVRP the corresponding values were 14.6 and 14.2 g/L (P = 0.69). In addition, there was no difference in irrigation requirements, changes in serum sodium, length of catheterization, hospital stay or bleeding complications. The use of a thick loop at higher cutting current settings during TUVRP offers no advantage over standard thin-loop TURP.

Transurethral resection of the prostate: the new old standard

A literature search was performed for articles between June 2000 and July 2001 pertaining to transurethral resection of the prostate. Eight of the most interesting and/or groundbreaking articles, as deemed by the authors, were selected for review. Topics discussed include transurethral vaporization of the prostate, laser prostatectomy, preoperative finasteride, pelvic floor rehabilitation, the impact of the quantity of tissue removed, bladder infusion prior to catheter removal, and ethanol-glycine in assessment of the absorption of irrigation fluid.