Initial experience of one institution with transurethral resection of the prostate in saline: first 15 cases

Objectives: The introduction of transurethral resection in saline offers a new alternative to monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate. This study aims to evaluate TURIS in one institution for future comparison and for comparison with initial experience with TURIS in other published studies.

Methods: The first fifteen cases of prostatic enlargement who underwent Transurethral Resection in Saline were evaluated for intraoperative parameters (operative time, resection rate and mean weight of resected tissue) and postoperative outcomes (complications, catheterization time, post-operative hospital stay, drop in serum sodium and drop in postoperative hemoglobin).

Results: In this series, mean blood loss was at 85.33 ± 78.57 mL; resection time was at an average of 76.40 ± 33.15 minutes and resection rate, calculated as grams resected per unit time, averaged 0.22 ± 0.17 g/min. No postoperative complications were noted apart from one patient requiring blood transfusion with packed RBC. Days of catheterization averaged 4.40 days, and total hospitalization days postoperatively averaged 4.40 days as well. It is of note that in this series, the average drop in serum sodium was 1.4 mmol/mL, while a mean drop in postoperative hemoglobin of 1.01 g/dL was noted.

Conclusion: In the initial experience of this institution, resection rates and weight of resected tissue were lower, and resection times longer, than in other reports, which may reflect the limited sample size. There was no significant morbidity noted, while drops in serum sodium and in hemoglobin are comparable to other reports. It is recommended that a prospective study comparing TURP and TURIS in the said institution be undertaken to provide a robust comparison.