Comparison of the haemostatic properties of conventional monopolar and bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate in patients on oral anticoagulants

INTRODUCTION: The aim of study is comparing the haemostatic properties of conventional monopolar resection (TURP) and bipolar transurethral resection in saline (TURIS) of the prostate in patients under chronic oral anticoagulants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Out of a cohort group of 550 endoscopic resections for bladder outlet obstruction, 176 patients on chronic oral anticoagulant therapy required endoscopic resection either by monopolar TURP or bipolar TURIS technology. Changes in haemoglobin, blood transfusion, and clot retention were compared between both groups. RESULTS: Mean postoperative change in haemoglobin level was –1.21 ±0.92 mg/dl in the TURP group compared to –1.29 ±0.99 mg/dl in the TURIS group (p = 0.603). The need for blood transfusions and the mean numbers of units transfused did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. Clot retention appeared in 12 patients (15%) in the TURP group compared to 13 patients (13%) in the TURIS group (p = 0.828). CONCLUSIONS: Despite promising experimental results of better haemostasis and deeper coagulation depth, bipolar technology does not permit one to reduce the amount of blood loss when compared to patients treated by conventional monopolar technology in this study group of patients on oral anticoagulation therapy. Patients on oral anticoagulants suffer more incidents of clot retention, which sometimes results in re-hospitalisation.