Monopolar and Bipolar Modalities of Transurethral Prostate Resection

Abstract

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is among the most common diseases in the aging male. Both medical and surgical treatment modalities have been improved strikingly in the last 20 years. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) is still the gold standard for the surgical treatment for the prostates with the volume of 30-80 ml. Today, besides monopolar classical TUR-P systems which are still widely used, bipolar TUR-P systems are also being used in the increasing numbers. Results of recent meta-analyses did not determine difference between monopolar and bipolar systems in terms of clinical efficacy, in addition, showed bipolar advantages in terms of bleeding and clot retention. Both monopolar and bipolar systems shall better be used until the results of multi-centered prospective studies which compare both modalities with high number of patients together with controlling surgeon factors.