Outpatient transurethral resection of the prostate at a urological ambulatory surgery center

Transurethral resection of the prostate has been the standard treatment for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, and it has traditionally required 2 to 7 days of hospitalization. Since 1991 we performed outpatient transurethral resection of the prostate at a urological ambulatory surgery center on 125 select patients. Standard resection techniques were used with particular attention to hemostasis, since bladder irrigation was stopped before patients were discharged home. Transfer to a hospital was required for 3 patients because of hematuria, 1 for fever and suspected bacteremia, and 1 for cardiac dysrhythmia. No patient required hospitalization after he was discharged from the ambulatory surgery center. Outpatient transurethral resection of the prostate can be performed safely with excellent patient satisfaction and cost-effectiveness. Alternative treatment modalities for benign prostatic hyperplasia should be evaluated against outpatient transurethral resection of the prostate before they are broadly embraced.