A Cost–Benefit Analysis of Bipolar TURP for the Treatment of Bladder Outflow Obstruction

Abstract

Giacomo Maria Pirola,1 Martina Maggi,2 Daniele Castellani,3 Alessandro Sciarra,2 Emanuele Rubilotta,4 Marilena Gubbiotti1 1Department of Urology, San Donato Hospital, Arezzo, Italy; 2Department of Urology, Sapienza Rome University, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy; 3Department of Urology, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Le Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy; 4Department of Urology, A.O.U.I, Verona University, Verona, ItalyCorrespondence: Marilena GubbiottiDepartment of Urology, San Donato Hospital, Arezzo, 52100, ItalyTel [phone]Email [email protected]: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold standard surgical technique for endoscopic treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Introduced in 2001, the bipolar energy appeared to be a valid alternative to the classical monopolar one with reduced risk of complication related to the use of saline irrigation and to the increased hemostatic efficacy. More recently, raising attention has been given to laser enucleation and vaporization techniques, which appear to achieve further advantages in terms of reduced hospital stay and complications compared to the resection ones. Few studies have investigated the cost/benefit ratio related to these techniques. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the cost/benefit ratio of bipolar TURP (B-TURP) compared with other endoscopic procedures.Keywords: benign prostatic hyperplasia, transurethral resection of the prostate, bipolar TURP, bladder obstruction

Keywords

• benign prostatic hyperplasia
• transurethral resection of the prostate
• bipolar turp
• bladder obstruction