Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TUVP) using Vaportrode VE-B: Two years follow-up

Background. The authors report their experience on transurethral vaporization of the prostate with Vaportode for the treatment of BPH. Methods. In January 1996 we treated 24 patients suffering from cervico-urethral obstruction caused by BPH with electrovaporization of the prostate using a cutting current of between 180 and 250 Watts (average 200 Watts). Exclusion criteria was: PSA>3 ng/ml. The catheter was removed after 24 hours. Follow-up of all patients is 27 months. Twenty-three patients were evaluated. Results. Results at follow-up were; mean maximum flow (Qmax) 9.31 ml/sec preoperative was 19.5 ml/sec after 6 months, 18.3 after 12 months and 18.0 after 24 months; mean symptom score decreased from 18.1 to 10.4 after 6 months, to 3.2 after 12 months and to 4.8 after 24 months; QL index decreased from 4.6 to 2.3 at 6 months, to 1.4 after 12 months and 24 months; the average avoiding pressure decreased from 62.8 cm/H₂O to 23.2 cm/H₂O after 6 months, to 21.2 after 12 months and to 23.8 after 24 months. There was no post voiding residual urine 2 days after treatment in all patients. Conclusions. Follow-up shows transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate is an efficient and safe technique for treatment of BPH.