Efficacy of bipolar “button” plasma vaporization of the prostate for benign prostatic obstruction, compared to the standard technique

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the following study is to evaluate the efficiency of transurethral plasma vaporization of the prostate in saline bipolar plasma vaporization of the prostate (BPVP) using the button electrode and comparing it to the standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: During the period of the year between 2007 and 2013, 152 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were rolled in our study. Fifty-two patients were underwent BPVP and 100 TURP. All patients were evaluated preoperatively, 24 h and at 3 months postoperatively. International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS), quality-of-life (QOL) score, Qmax and Qave and post void residual (PVR) urine. Operative time, hospital stay, catheterization time, and complications were reported. Mean serum Hb, hematocrit and serum sodium changes were reported preoperatively and within 24 h postoperatively in both groups. Statistical analysis is performed using SPSS program version 20 for windows. RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 60.8 ± 8 (range 63- 92) and 66 ± 8.6 (range 50-83) for BPVP and TURP groups, respectively. Mean prostatic volume was 46 ± 11 (range 30-92) and 43 ± 8 (range 30-80) in both groups, respectively. Patients from both series had similar preoperative characteristics. The mean operative duration 53 ± 21 1 ± 2.1 (range 1-7) versus 3 ± 3.3 (range 3-8) days (P value 0.0001) were significantly (range 20-80) versus 62 ± 16 min (range 30-126) (P value 0.004), catheterization period 2 ± 0.28 ( range 2-4) versus 3 ± 3.2 (range 2-7) days (P value 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: BPVP has superior efficacy in short-term results and less complication rates compared with classic TURP.