Abstract: PD23-04
Sources of Funding: none

Introduction

To compare the costs per procedure between thulium laser transurethral enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) and transurethral bipolar resection of the prostate (TURIS) for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in a prospective randomized trial.

Methods

The study randomized 208 consecutive patients with BPH to ThuLEP (n = 102) or TURIS (n =106). For all patients were evaluated preoperatively with regards to blood loss, catheterization time, irrigation volume, hospital stay and operative time. At 3 months after surgery they were also evaluated by International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum flow rate (Qmax), and postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) to see if a cost reduction could be correlated with a worst outcome_x000D_

Results

The patients in each study arm each showed no significant difference in preoperative parameters. Compared with TURIS, ThuLEP had same operative time (53.69±31.44 vs 61.66±18.70 minutes, P = .123) but resulted in less hemoglobin decrease (0.45 vs 2.83 g/dL, P = .005). ThuLEP also needed less catheterization time (1.3 vs 4.8 days, P = .011), irrigation volume (29.4 vs 69.2 L, P = .002), and hospital stay (1.7 vs 5.2 days, P = .016). Average cost for a ThuLEP was 1181 euros while was 1761,16 for a TURIS (p< .005). During the 3 months of follow-up, the procedures did not demonstrate a significant difference in Qmax, IPSS, PVR, and QOLS._x000D_

Conclusions

ThuLEP and TURIS both relieve lower urinary tract symptoms equally, with high efficacy and safety. ThuLEP was statistically superior to TURIS as a cheaper procedure. However, procedures did not differ significantly in Qmax, IPSS, PVR, and QOLS through 3 months of follow-up_x000D_

Funding

none