OUTPATIENT TRANSURETHRAL INCISION OF THE PROSTATE UNDER LOCAL-ANESTHESIA - OPERATIVE RESULTS, PATIENT SECURITY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS

Thirty patients with small and medium-sized obstructive prostates were operated by transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. All patients except one tolerated this manoeuvre without any complications or discomfort. The obstructive symptoms were relieved in all patients; however, 6 patients had lasting irritative symptoms, 2 of whom were cured after TURP. The costs of TUIP was calculated to be one sixth of that of TURP. During one year follow-up 5 patients were found to have prostate cancer despite careful rectal examination and PSA measurement preoperatively. In conclusion, TUIP may be carried out as safely and cost-effectively as an outpatient procedure and is beneficial in patients with predominantly obstructive symptoms. However, careful investigations concerning possible prostate cancer must be undertaken in this group of patients with small but symptomatic prostates.