Role of Open Surgery

Abstract

According to anatomo-morphologic studies, the authors define the role of open surgery in enucleating an adenoma, which is only partially removed with endoscopy, especially if large. Retrospective studies also show a higher probability of a further operation after endoscopy rather than after surgery, with a greater mortality risk due to cardiovascular reasons. In the four-year period from 1987–90, the joint experience of the University Urological Clinics of Padua and Brescia and the Hospital Urological Departments of Bergamo and Treviso, shows that out of 3851 operations, endoscopic treatment was carried out in 84% and surgery in 16%, with a marked prevalence of retropubic adenomectomy (84% of cases). 1989 was taken as a sample year and surgery was performed in 160 out of 935 cases, with excellent results in 87% of the patients. The authors, on the basis of their personal experience, results and literature, confirm that surgical treatment of prostatic hypertrophy is still valid.