July 7, 2009
Puppo P, Bertolotto F, Introini C, Germinale F, Timossi L & Naselli A. “Bipolar Transurethral Resection in Saline (TURis®): Outcome and Complication Rates After the First 1000 cases.” Journal of Endourology. July 2009, Volume 23, Number 7: Pp. 1145-1149.
OBJECTIVES: TURis® is an emerging technique that shows the same efficacy of monopolar resection. However, there is currently little available data on the safety of bipolar devices. We assessed outcome and safety of TURis on a large cohort of patients with at least 6 months' follow-up.
RESULTS: None of the patients operated experienced a TUR syndrome or a thermal skin lesion. The median follow-up of the entire cohort was 12 months (range, 6–24 months); 663 patients had at least 1-year follow-up (66.3%). Urethral stricture occurred in 27 patients (2.7%). Four patients developed a bladder neck contracture after transurethral resection of prostate (1%). Early postoperative clot retention occurred in 21 patients (2.1%), and 11 patients needed one or more transfusion (1.1%). Only six patients (2%) submitted to TUR of a neoplastic lesions at the lateral bladder wall experienced an unwanted trigger of the obturator reflex.
CONCLUSIONS: TURis offers the patient the same results as monopolar technology guaranteeing maximum safety without increasing the incidence of urethral strictures.
Link to study: http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/end.2009.0011
