Background and purpose: Today, urologists around the world are encountering greater numbers of larger prostate glands, probably because of an initial trial of pharmacotherapy. The present study was performed to assess the safety and efficacy of bipolar transurethral resection of large prostate glands using the PlasmaKinetic (PK) Superpulse System.
Patients and methods: This single-blind, randomized study included 70 patients with prostate gland >60 g seen on three-dimensional transrectal ultrasonography. Patients were randomized 1:1 using envelopes into either a PK Superpulse transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) group or conventional TURP group, and underwent the procedure accordingly. Perioperative and postoperative parameters included operative time, blood loss, need for blood transfusion, clinical transurethral resection (TUR) syndrome, and duration of catheterization and hospitalization. Of 70 patients, 67 were followed for a minimum of 9 months, and data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: Both groups were comparable in terms of preoperative parameters, which included American Urological Association Symptom Score, Qmax, gland size, and postvoid residual. A statistically significant difference between the two groups was found in terms of perioperative blood loss, change in serum sodium, and duration of catheterization. These complications were significantly less in the PK Superpulse group, with an obvious reduction in the duration of hospitalization in that group.
Conclusion: The PK Superpulse System can be used as safely and effectively in the resection of the large gland (>60 g) as it has been reported to be in the resection of small and medium-sized glands. By using physiologic saline (0.9% NaCl) as irrigation fluid, it eliminates any danger of TUR syndrome and thus eliminates the conventional time limit of resection. PK Superpulse TURP is a promising treatment modality in the management of large prostate glands. It has all the features of gold-standard monopolar TURP, along with added safety and efficacy. It is ready to be included in the urologist's armamentarium.