A RANDOMIZED COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE BANDLOOP * VERSUS THE STANDARD LOOP FOR TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE PROSTATE

Purpose:: The Bandloop is a new electroresection loop that is broader than the standard loop and thickens from front to back. We compared the safety and efficacy of the Bandloop to the conventional loop electrode for transurethral prostatectomy.Materials and Methods:: A randomized prospective study was performed on 53 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and estimated prostatic volume greater than 30 ml. on transrectal ultrasonography. The Bandloop was used in 25 cases (Bandloop group) and standard loop was used in 28 (standard group). Surgical outcomes, including International Prostate Symptom Score, resected prostatic weight, operative time, uroflowmetry, post-void residual urine, postoperative catheterization period, time to disappearance of macrohematuria, and serial changes of hemoglobin and urinalysis, between the 2 groups were compared.Results:: A total of 23 Bandloop and 28 standard loop cases were evaluable. There was no difference in preoperative estimated prostatic volume (mean 44.7 versu...