Laser versus electrical en bloc resection of bladder tumors: Results of a European multicenter study (EBRUC).

310 Background: The quality of transurethral resection of bladder tumors strongly determines patient’s tumor after-care and prognosis. En bloc resection of bladder tumors (ERBT) might improve staging quality, perioperative morbidity and influence tumor recurrence. This is the first European multi-center study which was initiated by ESUT and was conducted to evaluate the safety, efficacy and recurrence rates of electrical vs. laser ERBT. Methods: Transurethral ERBT was performed on 221 prospectively collected patients in six academic centers with either monopolar/bipolar current or holmium/thulium laser energy. Staging quality measured by detrusor muscle involvement, various perioperative/surgical parameters and 12 months follow-up data were analyzed. Results: 156 and 65 patients were treated with electrical and laser ERBT, respectively. Median tumor size was 2.1 cm with biggest up to 5 cm. Detrusor muscle was available in 97.3%. A switch to conventional TURBT was significantly more frequent in the electri...