TRANSURETHRAL MICROWAVE THERMOTHERAPY VERSUS TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION FOR SYMPTOMATIC BENIGN PROSTATIC OBSTRUCTION - A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED STUDY WITH A 2-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Objective To compare the outcome of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURF) and transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) on symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Patients and methods Patients with symptomatic BPH were treated by either TURP (32 patients: mean age 70 +/- 6 years) or TUMT (37 patients; mean age 67 +/- 9 years) and assessed using the Madsen-Iversen symptom scorer measurements of urinary free flow rate and post-void residual urine volume, digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasonography, cystometry and pressure-now measurement, ultrasonography or intravenous pyelography (IVP) of the upper urinary tract, urine analysis and routine blood chemistry including serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. Examinations were repeated at fixed intervals for up to 21 months after treatment. Results After both TURF and TUMT there was an improvement in symptom scorer residual urine volume, free flow rate and infravesical obstruction, The improvements of free now rate and obstruction were more pronounced after TURF, Serious complications, such as bleeding requiring a re-operation, occurred only in patients who underwent TURF. Conclusion Satisfactory results were obtained after both treatments and the improvements with either treat ment lasted for at least 24 months.