Bipolar TURP – is it a mile stone in the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction?

Bipolar TURP – is it a mile stone in the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction?

Krzysztof Szkarłat

Department of Urology and Oncologic Urology Szpital Specjalistyczny w Kościerzynie

Transurethral Prostate Resection (TURP) is considered „golden standard” for the surgical treatment of BPH. In 1909 Young modified his urethroscope into a prostatic punch thus starting minimally invasive surgery under direct vision. In 1926 Stern performed first electro resection of the prostate. Since then introduction of Hopkins lenses, light fibers and continuous flow resectoscope made TURP the first choice in the surgical treatment of bladder outlet obstruction. The appearance of bipolar technology is the most significant TURP modification of the last decades, with apparently no change in the surgical technique. Authors present bipolar technique with the systems of various companies. They review the literature comparing mono and bipolar TURP in terms of efficacy, safety and long term results.