Can bipolar transurethral enucleation of the prostate be a better alternative to the bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate? A prospective comparative study

To analyze the efficacy and safety between bipolar transurethral enucleation of the prostate (BipoLEP) and bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (B-TURP). One hundred twenty eight patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were recruited and divided into group 1 (BipoLEP group, n = 72) and group 2 (B-TURP group, n = 56). The study period was from October 2016 to February 2019. All data parameters were prospectively collected and analyzed. In these 2 groups, there were no significant differences of the mean ages (71.88 +/- 6.54 years vs 73.05 +/- 7.05 years, P = .407), prostate volumes (99.14 +/- 9.5 mL vs 95.08 +/- 10.93 mL, P = .302) and the mean operation times (93.7 +/- 27.5 minutes vs 89.8 +/- 22.4 minutes, P = .065). In BipoLEP group, it had more prostate tissue resected (64.2 +/- 22.1 g vs 52.7 +/- 28.6 g, P = .018), less duration of continuous bladder irrigation (20.7 +/- 6.5 hours vs 29.6 +/- 8.3 hours, P = .044), shorter catheterization time (4.3 +/- 1.5 days vs 5.6 +/- 2.1 days, P = .032), shorter hospitalization stay (5.2 +/- 1.4 days vs 6.5 +/- 1.9 days, P = .031) and less complications (3 cases vs 9 cases, P = .021). There were significant improvements in 3-month postoperative parameters, including: post void residual urine, maximum flow rate, International Prostatic Symptoms Scale, and quality of life in each group (p < 0.01). However, there were no significant differences of preoperative and 3-month postoperative parameters, including: post void residual urine, maximum flow rate, International Prostatic Symptoms Scale, and quality of life between these 2 groups (P > .05). BipoLEP can produce a more radical prostatic resection with better safety profile and faster postoperative recovery. It may become a more favorable surgical alternative to the B-TURP, especially for the prostate larger than 80 g.