Five-year data from the Oxford Laser Prostatectomy Trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the natural history of a group of patients who underwent contact laser prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).


METHODS
Patients were followed up at 5 years after enrolling in a prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial of TURP vs contact laser prostatectomy.


RESULTS
Of the initial trial patients, 11.5% had died (seven in the laser and 10 in the TURP arm) and eight (5.4%) were too incapacitated by coexistent medical disease to respond to the questionnaires. Thirty-eight patients were not available for follow-up, despite numerous invitations. Thirteen of the laser patients (18%) and 11 of the TURP patients (14.5%) had undergone re-operation. Two patients from each arm had received alpha-blockers for worsening symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Five years after prostatic surgery, a significant number of patients were dead or disabled by coexistent medical disease. The re-operation rate after TURP and contact laser prostatectomy were similar.
Department of Urology, Churchill Hospital, and Health Services Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford.
S R
SR
Keoghane
M E
ME
Sullivan
H A
HA
Doll
J
J
Kourambas
D W
DW
Cranston
D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011469:Prostatic Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020728:Transurethral Resection of Prostate / Q000379:methods; D014563:Urodynamics