Complications of transurethral resection of the prostate

A series of 632 patients undergoing one or more transurethral resections of the prostate gland at Wesley Pavilion of Northwestern Memorial Hospital is presented. Group characteristics, associated illnesses, and complications are reviewed and compared to an equally sized group of patients undergoing transurethral prostatic resection at the same hospital some twenty years earlier. This study has shown improvement in incidence of several complications, especially those related to infection and pyelonephritis, and urinary incontinence. Mortality rate has improved significantly and is likely due in great part to more comprehensive care of cardiovascular complications and control of infection. One can perhaps anticipate even further improvements in technique and results with the development of reliable fiberoptic instruments and improved lens systems which have been introduced to our institution since the period of time covered by this review.