Monopolar versus bipolar transurethral resection of bladder tumors: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies

BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy and safety of bipolar and monopolar transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treatment. METHODS: This protocol established in this study has been reported following the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols. Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for all randomized controlled trials comparing bipolar TURBT and monopolar TURBT in NMIBC treatment until 31st of June 2020. We will use a combination of Medical Subject Heading and free-text terms with various synonyms to search based on the eligibility criteria. Two investigators independently reviewed the included studies and extracted relevant data. The odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals of were used as effect estimate. I-square (I(2)) test, substantial heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias assessment will be performed accordingly. Stata 15.0 and Review Manger 5.3 are used for meta-analysis and systematic review. RESULTS: The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: The results of this review will be widely disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. This evidence may also provide helpful evidence of the efficacy and safety of bipolar and monopolar transurethral resection of TURBT in NMIBC treatment. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020151997