Bipolar Transurethral Prostate Resection: A Study of 112 Cases

Background: With the advancement of technology, prostate resection can be performed nowadays using endoscopic techniques, which include monopolar and bipolar transurethral prostate resection. This study aimed to evaluate the results of bipolar transurethral prostate resection in a single urology center in Cameroon. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out over two years (2015-2017) involving 112 patients with symptomatic prostate diseases who underwent transurethral prostate resection with the help of a bipolar Olympus generator. Results: The ages of the participants ranged from 44 years to 85 years, with a mean age of 64.41 ± 9.5 years. Fifty-six (50%) patients presented with only obstructive symptoms, five (4.46%) had only irritative symptoms, twenty (17.86%) presented with both obstructive and irritative symptoms, eight (7.14%) presented with macroscopic hematuria, seven (6.25%) with urinary tract infections, and sixteen (14.29%) with acute urinary retention. Digital rectal examination was unremarkable in 74 (66.07%) findings and was positive in 38 (33.93%) patients. The median prostate diameter was 70 [59 - 86.5] mm. The mean preoperative IPSS was 24.46 ± 5.68. The mean surgery duration was 77.61 ± 23.87 minutes. The mean volume of irrigation fluid used during surgery was 24.84 ± 6.40 ml. The differences between the preoperative and postoperative mean IPPS score, maximum urine flow rate, and quality of life were statistically significant (all P < 0.001). Only 4 (3.57%) of the study participants experienced postoperative complications. Conclusion: Bipolar transurethral prostate resection is a viable alternative to open surgery or laparoscopic surgery for large prostate glands. This technique is also associated with a reduction in prostate-related morbidity.