High energy thermotherapy versus transurethral resection in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: results of a prospective randomized study with 1 year of followup.

PURPOSE We compared the outcome of transurethral resection of the prostate and high energy microwave thermotherapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Of 52 patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia 21 (mean age plus or minus standard deviation 69.6 +/- 8.5 years) were treated with transurethral resection of the prostate and 31 (mean age 69.3 +/- 5.9 years) were treated with high energy microwave thermotherapy. Patients were assessed using the Madsen symptom score, measurements of voiding parameters, transrectal ultrasound and cystometry, including pressure-flow analyses. Examinations were repeated at fixed intervals for up to 12 months after treatment. RESULTS After transurethral resection and thermotherapy there was significant improvement in all clinical parameters. At 1 year of followup symptomatic improvement was 78% in the transurethral resection group versus 68% in the thermotherapy group, with improvements in free flow rate of 100 and 69%, respectively. Both groups had significant relief of bladder outlet symptoms. No serious complications occurred in either group, while 1 patient in each group required repeat treatment. CONCLUSIONS Satisfactory results were obtained after both treatments, with improvements following high energy microwave thermotherapy being in the same range as those after transurethral resection of the prostate.