Clinical and safety profiles of bipolar transurethral vaporization of the prostate in saline: a preliminary report

Transurethral vaporization of the prostate in saline (TURisV) is an innovative endoscopic surgical modality for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that vaporizes prostate tissue using a uniquely designed mushroom electrode. TURisV promises instant hemostatic tissue ablation under saline irrigation and offers clinical advantages for endoscopic BPH operations. From July 2008 to February 2009, TURisV was performed in 17 cases with clinically significant BPH. Median operation time was 127.0 min and median volume of vaporized prostate tissue was 41.1 g. Median International Prostate Symptom Score improved from 20 to 4 after 12 months. Median maximum flow rate increased from 5.3 mL/s to 13.8 mL/s after 12 months. Postoperative median residual urine improved from 48.0 mL to 7.0 mL after 12 months. No changes in hemoglobin or electrolyte levels were seen postoperatively. Our results suggest that TURisV is a safe and efficacious treatment for BPH.